Kadiddle or Random Thoughts

Michael Buble

2011-12-15T10:14:00.002-07:00

Yep - I'm gonna say it: HE IS A CLASS A JERK!!!

He comes off as this clean cut and great guy who loves to perform. I am sure he loves performing and there is no denying his talent. However, I just read an article that claims that each time he performs he offends people to the point that they leave and request their money back. His behavior does not match his music or his image.

When asked about it he simply doesn't care if he offends. He says to give the people their money back and basically tells them not to let the doors hit them on the way out. Odd kind of PR for someone who should be more savvy by now. It isn't like he is new at all of this.

If I go to a Kanye West concert I expect things to be full of profanity and crudeness. But, if I go to a Michael Buble (which until today I would have taken my 15 year old who admires his talent) I expect a class act. Someone who knows better and does better. Kanye is talented but he makes his living in part because he is such a well known jerk and is controversial. That just isn't what we expect from some other celebs.

As for Buble's attitude that it isn't his problem - he is so wrong. When you choose to take a path that puts you in the public eye and automatically sets you up as a role model - you have a serious issue. And if he doesn't like that with his fame comes a certain responsibility then he should get out and go sing in a night club for the rest of his days. The celebrities and sports stars (or anyone for the matter) who won't take responsibility for their positions and their affect on others is immature. If you are a star and you have people pay to basically come on your turf and enjoy your talent you had better respect their rights to enjoy an unoffensive evening. Yes, he has the right to be a jerk but I have the right to stop enjoying his talent and eventually he will lose plenty more followers.

The saddest part is that we live in a society where most don't care because to find a class act any more is nearly impossible. Gone are the days of having any decorum. It is just a free for all and if you don't accept everyone's behavior you are considered a snob and a prude (just as Buble called the folks that walked out on his shows). So, if you are a gutter slob I guess he has the right to call you a snob and a prude. Great!

I'm Dreaming of Apples for Christmas

2011-12-12T10:13:00.005-07:00

In my dreams I can buy everyone in my life lovely Apple products to make their days merry and bright. I would give my children MacBooks and everyone would use iPhones. In my happy place everything is streamlined and pretty while being productive.

In the meantime, you may be lucky if I make you cookies. :)

Cyber Monday

2011-11-28T10:04:00.004-07:00

It is a commandment of mine to NEVER go out and shop on Black Friday. I don't even like to leave the house because of all the mayhem around town. However, I am a huge fan of shopping online when you can - especially if it means free shipping.

There are several items this year that I swear by. I have mentioned a few of them on this site before but like any good point - it is worth repeating!!!

The book I love right now:

The book my son wants for his birthday this week (and I got free shipping on):

My new phone!!! Otherwise known as "My Precious" (yes, I have issues, don't judge me):

As a side note here, I wish I didn't have a contract and mine is actually the 8gb. But, if I could do it again I would probably try to get more memory because I have so much music.

My most wonderful gadget ever:

I had extra memory put in mine because of the kind of work I do, a good thing to consider when you are purchasing the amazing MacBook Pro!!!

Music - my first love:

Yes, I am a fan of all Apple products but I LOVE my Microsoft Zune!!! And look at all that beautiful memory! It is a wonderful little piece of heaven!

Best gift ever to myself:

I bought a larger pan to go with mine as well because I have a larger family. These pans are amazing!!!

Best little item I have found:

This is such a great little stocking stuffer that is so easy on your bank account!

Enjoy your cyber shopping!!!

Awesome! The Dog!

2011-07-22T15:57:00.004-06:00

Our family recently got a new dog. I have to say that this is one of the best things that could have happened for all of us.

Awesome! is his name and he is a five year old golden retriever. He was owned by a soldier who lost both legs in Iraq and had to go into assisted living (unfortunately the dog could not go). Awesome! is trained so well that we are all in shock. He is completely wonderful and does not have a flaw that we can find.

We do love to give him baths, take him for walks and we love to take him to the pet store for treats. We have had to go through a few toys because a few were shredded but we now have some great dog toys and accessories.

We could not be more blessed! We are so lucky to have found this sweet dog!!!

Anthony Verdict

2011-07-05T16:05:00.002-06:00

Last night while watching fireworks with my children and listening to patriotic music - I have never felt more proud to be American.

Then today I read all the comments on Facebook about the Anthony trial and this mother being found not guilty of first degree murder. Many people made horrible comments about the judge and the jury.

At first I was outraged at the comments. I had talked with my oldest earlier in the morning about the fact that she couldn't be charged due to all the "reasonable doubt". There was simply no hard evidence against her that could stand.

I have no clue if she was guilty or innocent and I am glad I was not asked to decide. However, I think that we should give our children hope in our justice system. I think that they should know that sure, bad things happen to good people at times, but in general we can have faith that our rights our protected and justice is preserved.

The irony here, to me at least, is that I was mad at these people on Facebook when they were just venting and I wasn't appreciating that their ability to express themselves so openly is truly American.

I know I am sappy and that I may even sound sanctimonious but I love this country and what we stand for as a whole. I love it that we can celebrate and we can vent. Yes, bad things happen, it is not a perfect world, and we have all been victim to some injustices but at the end of the day we have it so good here!

Ugly can of worms.

2011-05-20T13:04:00.001-06:00

I was just Googling a name this morning when something came up that made me so angry because of it's inherent ugliness that I could hardly stand it.

Right when I Google this individual a list is the top search result and it is a list that the gay community who claims to have "Pride" (ya, right) has put together. Mind you, I don't know which gay community because I am not going to go learn more about idiots.

The point of the list is to blacklist or boycott citizens of a certain state who gave any funding to YES on Prop 8 in California.

Let me be very clear. I am a fan of gay people in general. I don't care if you are gay, and you don't care if I am straight. I don't care if you are purple and you don't care that I am blonde but tan well. Get my drift, I accept you for what you are. But I accept these other people and even their constitutional right to be unaccepting of you as gay people.

Moral of my story is, who are you to point a finger at them for some sort of fault when you are doing the same in kind. If you want to be treated better as a whole, act better as a whole. I have always thought that the gay people I know and love are the most accepting and non judgmental people I know and then to find this list (which I know, only reflects some) just killed me. If I were a gay individual and knew that people like me were sending a message to the world like that and it reflected on me, I would be furious.

There is no need to boycott these businesses just as these businesses would likely not keep you from their places of business.

Okay, done ranting.

Jenn Sterger

2011-04-11T13:11:00.002-06:00

No one asked but I have to get it out. I think I actually believe that she never gave Brett Favre her phone number. I don't think she was seeking trouble. This is not my opinion because she is a woman or anything. It is just my gut feeling. She was certainly in a position to get any money or whatever she may have wanted and yet she was obviously not out for money or to gain anything by all of this. I truly think she fell victim to someone who thought he could have whatever he wanted and could do what he wanted. Jenn Sterger obviously has a lot of talent or she would haven't been where she was, at least not on the scale that she was. She is cute and from what I read in her interviews, she is very smart. I almost wish she would take money for the interviews she is doing to clean this all up, at least then she would have something back in return for all the hassle. If nothing else, I hope that she comes through better than ever with a better paycheck! As for Brett Favre, some people don't know when to quit. He needed to stop playing football before he finally got real and he obviously needed to stop texting before he went to the photos. :)

Pots & Pans

2011-03-09T07:01:00.002-07:00

Ya, a weird title for a post but it is just simply about the pots and pans I just bought for myself (after waiting 16 years). I am in LOVE with these!

I got the larger pan to go with the set because I need a huge saute pan! Anyway, these pans are incredible, easy to keep clean, and they look amazing!

Bottom line, if you need pots, these are a wonderful quality without breaking the bank. They were definitely a splurge but while I was looking I saw pots and pans for twice the price that I know I would not have been as happy with!

Libya

2011-02-25T08:55:00.002-07:00

Last night while watching Anderson Cooper on CNN, he had a conversation with a woman in Libya who has been in virtually trapped in her home for five days. She says if they go out, they know they will be shot. She says they cannot protest freely.

What really got me was when Anderson tells her repeatedly that the world is watching and sympathizing and praying for them and her reply was basically: enough watching, when are you going to act on it?

While my heart broke for her and she did make me want to go right over and find a solution for them, I wondered who on Earth right now has the resources to help all of these countries that one by one are trying to do as Egypt did? And who can say where it will stop?

Normally, I am of the mind that US citizens or not, we are all children of God and if you are given much, much is expected. I still believe this. Perhaps with my age comes the reasoning that says "everything in moderation" and "have some boundaries".

The US is powerful, no doubt about it. Financially, we are not powerful. at this time. We had better mind our business here or we will not be able to help people in the future the way we have in our past.

Another thought hits me at this time. By having our troops go and try to make things right it is like playing God. Saying our troops lives mean less than your citizen's lives. It is a hard place to be in. Lives are precious regardless of nationality.

What I do know as I watch this is that I am very grateful for government powers that put a limit of terms of service in public office. I am glad that our president has a maximum of eight years instead of going on for 30 years. I am also glad that we can protest without fearing for our lives. Yes, there may be freak accidents and there is risk involved but we are allowed to speak our mind.

I hope Libya can get things right and have peace. As a mother, I am sorry for those that have lost children or grandchildren. I am sorry that they don't have the freedoms we are so blessed to have. But to the little lady in Libya that was on CNN last night, I don't have the answers for you but I know that sometimes all we can do is watch and be prayerful. Please don't underestimate what that can do for you and your country.

Okay, will stop ranting now.

Music

2011-02-17T07:31:00.002-07:00

Music has always been a true love for me. I know this is true of many. The past six months, I listened to a few things but stopped really listening. Last night that all changed. I listened for hours with my Zune of course. I got a docking station for less than $40 and I am in heaven!!!!! The sound is fantastic!

Anyway, I don't really have much to blog, just that I fell in love with my music all over again. :)

Blackberry Curve 8530

2011-02-16T15:17:00.002-07:00

Yea, I know, it's been out forever. However, it is new to me. I had the prehistoric Blackberry and worshiped it. Went to get a new phone and the Droids were going to cost way too much. So, I opted to go with what I know and do the Blackberry Curve 8530.

I received my phone months ago and have loved every minute with it since. I don't have to hard reset this one - ever. The battery lasts for a long time depending on what I am doing. The quality of the calls is excellent although, I don't know whether to blame my good fortune on Verizon Wireless or the phone.

I have more apps than I could ever use. It is also impressive how many movies it holds without using up much memory. When you are somewhere with a four year old this feature makes a great babysitter!

Inspiration

2010-10-25T13:36:00.003-06:00

Today I listened to a blog radiocast. It was fascinating! Who knew?

The show was about single women. Some of the callers were men that called in to ask questions about women which was great! Others were women wanting answers to a lot of questions.

The panel consisted of very wise women. One was Lisa Nichols Bell who authored this book:

Another panel member was Mandy Hale from @TheSingleWoman on Twitter. She is a journalist who is wise beyond compare.

What struck me was that they mentioned that a man is never going to treat us better than we treat ourselves. The search for our "match" begins with us. We have to really look at us. How do we take care of ourselves? Do we eat right? Do we exercise? Do we take care of our finances well? Do you take care of your home? What kind of family member and friend are you? The gist is that our partners mirror us so if we want someone fit, loving, active, friendly, professional, etc. - we have to be those things.

I know for me in the past few months I haven't been taking care of myself at all. It seems the focus has been on my children and that is a good thing to a point but I have to be good for them too. I don't want to become self absorbed while doing this but I need to be working out consistently again, eating better, watching the dollars better and more. In all reality I wanted to jump on my treadmill the minute the panel brought this point to light. :)

Anyway, good wisdom was handed out on a free blog radiocast! It was a great way to invest a little bit of time.

Dear Santa . . .

2010-09-29T16:33:00.002-06:00

Okay, I have never wanted to believe in Santa Claus so badly! ;) I really want this phone. Now, how to fund this! I am hoping that perhaps I can swing the buy one get one free that Verizon is offering so that I can give one of them to my mom. We will see!

Thomas Edison

2010-09-28T19:15:00.003-06:00

I love good quotes. This is not a secret for those that are close to me. Thomas Edison is one of my favorites because he was so wise and such a fan of hard work and a good work ethic.

Please visit Quotagious to read many Thomas Edison quotes and to learn a little about his life!

You can also follow on Twitter @quotagioustweet.

Summer Reading

2010-09-13T12:51:00.002-06:00

Well, if anyone wants reading that is strictly for fun and fluff then I have a good trilogy for you. It reads easily and very quickly. If you are not into a little romance (some is a little steamy) and you object to a little foul language then these are not for you. If you are okay with these little flaws and want a fun story, a little mystery, friendship and love then this is for you! Oh, and if you have a love of flowers or gardening you will appreciate them immensely! Happy reading!

The Zune 120 gb

2010-09-01T14:33:00.003-06:00

I was probably the last person on earth to purchase an mp3 player but I put it off on purpose. The thing is, I LOVE music. It is a soulmate. I have so much of it that I didn't want some little 30 gb drive and have to pick and choose what to have on it. I wanted all of my music in one spot to access when and where I wanted. So, the Zune 120 gb covered this. I LOVE my Zune!

Off I go, the happy camper with her Zune. I take it everywhere, the car, camping, running, just everywhere. The other day I was in the tub having a nice soak when I was listening and for some stupid reason I decided to put a hair tie in to pull my hair up and set the Zune on the side of the tub. I'm sure you never guessed that it fell into the tub and was completely submerged for maybe two seconds. I pulled it out and dried it out and even used the blow dryer on it in the charging end and the ear phone jack. Nothing, no power, lifeless. I was devastated.

My Zune has emotionally value to me. I know, I'm mental but I was frantic. I immediately search the web for a solution and many people even some on the Zune forum had put theirs in a bag or tupperware container full of rice and just left it for at least 24 hours. So I did just that. It took about 48 but today I plugged it in hoping that maybe the battery just died and I got an error message. I looked it up on the Microsoft Zune webpage and followed the instructions there. So far, it is working like a charm. I had to reset it, then I had to get rid of everything on it and start fresh. Fine by me, luckily it was all backed up and conveniently in one spot as I had just revamped my stuff. Anyway, it is syncing now and is at 6% finished and I am just praying that it works.

If not, I bid on one on eBay that I found for a lower price than stores have it. They don't make this one anymore so it isn't easy to find. If I end up winning it (which my son is hoping for) I will have two. :) I'm hoping for financial reasons that I lose the bidding process but for my son I kind of hope it works out.

Anyway, I wish I had known the rice trick when my kids got their Motorola phone wet at the pool. It wasn't even submerged so it probably could have been saved! If I had only known! What a great trick!

Television Going Online

2010-06-21T14:53:00.003-06:00

Here's the story. I am getting that strong vibe that television networks are trying to make it so that they are 100% online. They are all putting up there own little web shows that are available online only. Here's the catch.

Most of American society, I am sure, thinks that they have unlimited internet access. But, this is generally not the case. "Unlimited" is a great buzz word when it comes to internet, web space and more. Very few cases prove to be "unlimited" no matter what you are talking about. I found this because my mother and I shared a house for a while. We noticed that the connection got really slow one day and we called the provider to find out what was going on. Come to find out we were on a so called "unlimited" plan but when we called we found out that there was a lot of fine print that limited our access and once we reached a certain amount of file transfer our speed dropped nearly to non existent. It was so sad. We were two single ladies that didn't even really do a whole lot and we ran through the bandwidth limitations month after month in a hurry.

One of the major contributors to sucking up the bandwidth is watching on demand television and movies. Downloading and uploading are other factors. So, dear major networks please be careful before you lose all of your viewers and therefore your advertisers too. You can't alienate that big of a population without a huge hit in cash flow. Good luck with that. For now, I'm afraid you are all stuck with conventional television.

Accutane

2010-06-11T07:31:00.002-06:00

Well, it isn't really considered "Accutane" anymore. I guess the patent is expired and it is on the market by a lot of brand names. Anyway, I was prescribed this about 20 years ago and it worked wonders on my teen acne. And now, as an adult, I have suffered from the same and have finally been prescribed this again.

It is much harder to get now. I had to go through the whole iPledge program and sign what seemed like a million forms and had a lot of tests and appointments. I understand their need for informed patients and I understand the problems involved with pregnancy while on the medication. On the flip side, I think there are cases of over correction. I guess when it comes to babies you can't be too cautious. It just seems that a mother of four, who has taken the medication before should be given some benefit of the doubt but then there are incompetent people everywhere.

Much better prepared this round, I am equipped with: a gallon of Vaseline, at least a gallon of Aquaphor, gel eye drops (that my kids will have to help me with because for the life of me, I can't get them in my own eyes), vitamin E and the actual medication. iPledge makes it pretty difficult just to get the prescription filled but at last we did it. It is normally a $350 prescription for one month and thanks to my TriCare insurance it was $3! What a lifesaver because if it didn't cover it, I couldn't have had it!

Anyway, I am excited to see how things go. I am somewhat of a sun worshipper so I am sad that I won't be able to be in the sun as much but it is worth it. I hope it all goes well and that I take the precautions necessary to not have such a hard time while on it.

A Win for Sandra Bullock

2010-06-07T21:32:00.002-06:00

Please do not think that I am a fan of the MTV award show or anything of it's kind. MTV is just not my thing. However, I am a big fan of Sandra Bullock!

Maybe it's because she exudes class in a Hollywood that hasn't known any for so very long. I do wish she hadn't "kissed a girl". It didn't "WOW" anyone and it didn't serve any purpose. I am so sorry for she and her husband and what has happened. Regardless of who did what, divorce means heartache.

This has been a big year for Sandra Bullock. With her award for Blind Side and her new baby she has a lot of good things going on. I wish she had the husband she loved by her side but he is obviously not who she thought.

I will not go on for much longer. I will leave this post with the fact that we should all have the elegance, the class and the backbone to be as truly amazing as she has proved herself to be. I'm sure she has flaws but she has shown what she is made of this year!

"We Love You Ms. Hannigan!"

2010-06-06T13:12:00.001-06:00

Yes, it's official, I am Ms. Hannigan! I think I must need some sort of nerve tonic because I am going to go stark raving mad in a matter of minutes.

The Verbally Abusive Relationship

2010-06-05T13:54:00.003-06:00

If you were to take a poll in my family as to who they thought was verbally abusive between me and any person I have dated, married or otherwise I am sure that most of my family would assume that I was more verbally abusive. Why? Because I am blunt and honest. I don't blow sunshine, I just give you the facts. If your shoes are ugly I won't up and tell you to be malicious but if you ask me, you had better be prepared to hear it if they are truly ugly.

This is not the definition of verbally abusive. This book was so insightful. I did find that there are some things that I do say and behaviors I do possess that are verbally abusive but all in all, I am not malicious, nor do I have ill intent for anyone. Honesty does not have to be cruel and I try to never hurt feelings or make someone feel small. I am not perfect, as I'm sure my children will tell you.

However, I have recently started talking with someone a lot. And I care about this person a lot or I would turn and run. This person has given me a run for my money lately and made me wonder about my own sanity. And while I don't look at this person and say "abusive" while waving my finger at them, I do identify several things that are worrisome to me and I hope that I can learn behaviors and phrases that will bring about a different chemistry in this friendship so it is not lost.

This book is great because it gives you a specific list of what are unacceptable phrases and behaviors. It takes the guess work out of it so you know if you are crazy or not. :) The author also gives you skills to cope as well as dialogue that you can use when someone is being verbally abusive with you.

It sounds "simple stupid" but a lot of it is putting up some boundaries and just saying that you won't be treated or spoken to in certain ways. Or you have to be verbal about someone not discounting your thoughts, emotions and your realty. I love the "rights" that the author tells each person in any relationship that they have. It was really helpful.

Most relationship suffer from some level of verbal abusive by both parties, in my opinion. I can't imagine that everyone is verbally on track all of the time or never comes off sarcastic or snide. We are human after all. I guess the real question is: Do you feel safe in that relationship (emotionally speaking)? Yes, I know, physical safety is important too but that's a whole other can of worms that I can't open today. If you feel emotionally safe I believe you can let some little comments go or a few flaws in communication. However, if you are always being told you blow things out of proportion or that you look for fights or are always so negative when in fact you aren't, that is uncalled for and not safe. Same goes for put downs, name calling or attacks verbally. And you never deserve to be yelled at. Ever. No matter what you have done, the other person is responsible for their actions.

Oh the Agony!

2010-06-04T15:12:00.004-06:00

So about two weeks ago I sprained my ankle - again. Yes, in the past 17 years it has happened four or five times. Anyway, this time it hurt worse than I ever recall and I heard a snapping sound which did not thrill me. However, I was right in the middle of a yard sale with my mother. Luckily she was selling crutches and she went over and grabbed them for me and I hobbled over to my lawn chair. That was on a Saturday and because I was not bleeding to death I didn't go to the emergency room. I finished my yard sale and kept ice on it until 9 a.m. on Monday morning.

Went to a clinic, had it x rayed. Confirmed that there was not a fracture however, it was so loose that the doctor was amazed I was walking. He stated that it was as if it was held on by nothing at all, just floating there. Such a lovely thought. He gave me this dominatrix looking boot (a friend came up with that, I usually do not go there mentally), some pain pills and a referral to a physical therapist because he said there was no way it was getting better on it's own.

It took me several days to be able to get into therapy but the first day I went I was hopeful. I was informed just how bad the ankle was and that I would be needing surgery - no question about it. The physical therapist then made it his goal to just get it healthy and out of pain enough for an orthopedic to look at it to assess the need for surgery. He then did electrical stimulation, ultra sound and then some ice/compression and wrapped it well and sent me packing after making two more appointments for this week. He said that I was to do nothing but promote healing - no exercises yet.

Well, my second appointment the wonderful guy was not there but some perky little thing named "Jill" was and she said she was filling in for my guy. She said we would start with electrical stimulation. She put the things on weird spots (I am not new to pt) and they didn't even stick so I felt nothing. Waste of time. She then came in to do ultra sound and it was burning my skin. Not to mention the fact that she was so rough with the wand that it was smacking against my very tender ankle and surrounding area and it was excruciating to say the least. I had to tell her that it was too tender. She then started exercising it and stretching it despite the obvious discomfort and the fact that I told her that we were only "promoting healing". She ignored me. Finally, she puts on the ice/compression machine and she puts the compression on high for my extremely irritated ankle. I should add here that when I went in I was so proud because upon taking off my brace I found my ankle not swollen at all. It looked amazing for the first time in weeks. By the time she put the compression on it it was swelling up and turning colors (green, blue, purple). She left the room with the machine on and I was yelping in pain. The little old lady next to me had to get her to come turn the dumb thing off! What a twit!

I will say this: it is me who is in charge of my health care and I should have been more aggressive and not worried about making a scene or hurting feelings. I should have left her and the building. I did cancel my next appointment in hopes that the guys would be back on Monday. I could not bring myself to go back for yet another careless torture session.

Aren't you glad you could be here while I got this all out of my system? I am sorry for you if you got this far. I am actually hopeful about my ankle because I was told the surgery is a cinch and will make things so much better when the ligaments are sewn back where they go. So, never fear, all is well. I just don't need "Jill" ever again. I'm sure she is a very kind person but she is not a good physical therapy person.

Some writing I did.

2010-06-02T15:14:00.004-06:00

Well, it doesn't read like a novel but if you are interested you can check out my latest project here. I did not do every single page but I did a lot of them. I have been going into the other pages that I did not write and editing what is needed.

I really need to get my resume up and running on Elance soon. There is a severe shortage of cash flow here. I really need things to pick up and while I am grateful for the work I do have, more is always better when it comes to work. *Remind me I said that later. :)

I have also been working on getting some links for this real estate site. This was a fun site to work on because I grew up around this area and my grandmother still lives in East County San Diego. It is fun to go through and mentally visit my old stomping grounds.

Way to Be

2010-05-29T19:39:00.002-06:00

Okay, warning: this is a brag post!

My kids rock. We knew this but I have to say it again anyway. Before I go on I will say that my kids also have some huge brain blips that would make any parent feel at ease that my kids are not perfect. Please know that I am not in denial.

Here is what went right today!

1. My oldest tried to right a wrong that happened with a family member. I was proud of him for stepping up and out of his comfort zone to try to do the right thing.
2. My youngest son mowed a lot of the lawn and did a dang good job without me babysitting him. For him, this was huge!
3. My girls got along all day. Even when they didn't get what they wanted they were happy and worked together.
4. My boys hung a huge vertical blind for our sliding glass door and in turn the blind will ultimately save me a fortune on our cooling bill because that door gets the afternoon sun.
5. We are having company over in the next two days and the kids are all working together to rally and clean up some messes and get more organized so that we can enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

While things are definitely not perfect, I had to take a minute and focus on the things that are so good right now. Everyday I count my lucky stars that my kids and I are all healthy and that we can be together in a comfortable home of our own and that we learn from our experiences.

Love vs. Lust or Love plus Lust?

2010-05-27T23:30:00.002-06:00

Disclaimer: I got on my soap box here and I got carried away. Forgive me in advance!

Recently I had a conversation with my mother that disturbed me on some level. A pretty big level. I had an old friend of mine come see me where I live and he spent time with me, my children and my mother because at the time we were living with her. I am attracted to this person in a big way. However, I live here and he lives elsewhere (his elsewhere is a long way from here). He has school aged children and I have school aged children and we both have extended family where we live. We also have ex and soon to be ex spouses that we have to ensure have plenty of time with our children.

I was explaining to my mother the situation and that as much as I may like this person there are obstacles and that common sense says it is not the time and place for this particular relationship. And in my mind, maybe that is a good thing. I know my kids are not ready for their parents to be in love or living with someone let alone marriage and blending families. I expressed to my mother that I believe that this man needs to stay where he is for his children and I need to be where I am right now because even if he did ask me to move to be near him, my kids are not ready. To this she replied that the feeling must not be strong enough. Her point being that if you are head over heels for someone you throw all rationale out the window and go with your heart.

This makes me furious and this is not a fair accusation. How can she know what I feel for this man and how can she say it isn't enough. And if it were she would be asking me "what about your feelings for your children and what they feel, why isn't it the priority?" I firmly believe that the minute I got pregnant nothing was ever just about me ever again. Just as once I became married, it was "us", not "me". I am not saying I am high and mighty or better than anyone, it is what I know and it actually naturally comes to me. I don't know how to be different. I think somewhere there is some moderation in this extreme point of view and I am missing the boat.

The things is what kind of mother would I be if not one year after separating from my children's father - who they adore and love - I went and moved across the country to be with another man. How do you even date someone enough to know if you should move across the country for them? How do you know your families would blend if you have only been all together once or twice. And who on Earth would take these four little hearts and not think about them first? Who would put their own feelings above theirs? They are so heartbroken and so sad inside over losing their family unit as they know it.

I keep telling my children that they still have their whole family. I simply state that it has taken a new shape and even though it is hard to accept and get used to, they have lost no one - NO ONE DIVORCED THEM! But I see my 7 year old daughter playing matchmaker and trying to make hints that we will be a "happy" family again.

The bottom line is that selfishly I do want a companion and I want to feel loved and desired. Who doesn't? Don't we all long to feel like someone wants us? I think that is just human nature and I think we inherently want to pair up - it is the plan for us - it is why we are here. I also think it is normal to want to make a whole family and heal hearts and build a home. However, with the sadness of an ending marriage (the true sadness is truly for the children, they never win in this) I feel I have to keep some perspective that if I believe in eternity then I need to give time a chance. I need to believe that these hearts will heal.

I hear people say how resilient kids are all the time. The truth is: THEY ARE NOT RESILIENT! We force them to grow up, suck it up and deal with it. What else is a child to do? They are at our mercy and they can't change their surroundings when they are young. What a helpless position to find yourself in and feel like your world is shattered. I have seen this emotion in my own child's eyes. Why would I bring a man into their life and let him fill the shoes of a father figure? While there would be benefits to my children there would also be loads of confusion. I know one would feel like he could not attach to someone new because it would mean he wasn't loyal to his father. Until he gets in a place where he may handle it a little better I cannot do this to him. I am their mother - their advocate. It is my job to help them, not to put the obstacles in their path.

So, my dear mother, as we look at the problems in this world today perhaps if we all reflected we would all benefit if we thought of the children. Not just in acting like a teenager at 35 and trying to do the dating scene but in all things. Every time we waste water - what about our kids? When we pollute the air or tear down trees - what about our kids? This goes into so many facets of life. What about the kids? Shouldn't they be the priority because they are going to be in charge of us soon. Let's try to do it right! I'm not perfect, I am just trying to do the best I know how today.

Peter Walsh on Oprah

2010-05-27T16:34:00.004-06:00

At first glance I think: Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone so helpful come into your home and family and help you tackle what is going on.

Then I get sane. Can you imagine anything more horrifying than having millions of people look at your laundry room on any given day? Or to have them open every closet, your garage, your car?

Oprah made a statement today that the condition of your car is an indicator of what is going on in your life. My house can be tidy most of the time but the car is a disaster! This has been the case since I was a teen and had my first car! So, I wonder, if your car looks like you never pick up after yourself is it really so deep in meaning or is it simply that I am too lazy to take the garbage out of it. I mean, I have seen worse cars and about every week we detox ours but GEEZ, does it really have to have deep psychological meaning or are we more simple than this??

While I understand there are deep meanings behind some problems and for some, the messy car may be a huge sign. I guess I view my life more simply. I am currently the single, home schooling, self employed (from home), stay at home mother of four busy children. I do my own yard care with my children, we do not have a chef or a housekeeper or a nanny. We run our own show around here so here is the bottom line for me and maybe I just don't see the deeper meaning:

The house is messy = I may have been sick, we may have had an ultra busy week or I simply feel overwhelmed and freeze up so things stand still for a while, not chronically but for a week sometimes.
The garage is messy = We had to turn ours into a family room so it is really an extension of the house.
We don't eat enough home cooked meals = I hate shopping and I do not enjoy making mac and cheese and often simply do not have the energy to cook and then worry about the clean up. As kids get old enough to help out this becomes an easier challenge.
The car is a mess = I love a clean car but when you spend four nights a week at ball fields, shuffling children, hauling various stuff here and there and at times eat in the car it is not always possible for it to be beautiful and when we finally land home it is bedtime and that becomes the priority.
I weigh more than I should = I like food and do not have the will power right now to work out.

I was not an abused child, I do not have deep seeded hoarding issues and whatnot. I will say though that if there was one deep issue going on at our house it is the fact that we have too much stuff and while I love getting rid of extra things I have to be careful of my children right now because a few of them are emotionally attached to "things" and with all the other changes in their life in the past few months I tread lightly. Other than that we have a tired and overwhelmed mother. But we are functioning!

Peter Walsh is amazing at what he does and I especially loved what he said about gathering around the table at meal time. My kids love meal time together and I am lucky that our family has always made that a priority.

All that said: If Peter Walsh or anyone else took my cell phone away I would DIE! lol My kids would be fine, perhaps thrilled but with a cranky mother they would ultimately be unhappy. lol I have to have my phone! I'm a Crackberry addict! :) And I am okay with me for now!

Paula Abdul's Idol Appearance = Awkward

2010-05-26T20:34:00.003-06:00

If anyone ever does a television special on the top awkward television moments ever they are going to have to put right at the top the part tonight where Paula Abdul appeared on the Idol finale. While I see why they brought her on and think it could have been great, she managed to botch it.

Between bad jokes about having a baby together and the weird pauses and comments that imply that there was a ton of backstage drama it was just a joke. As if the drama we all saw unfold before our eyes wasn't enough.

And then when addressing the judges she called Reuben "charming", tells Ellen that she loves her, tells the other girl (ya, I she is forgettable to me) that she looks beautiful, ya de ya de ya da. Then she gets to Simon. I'm not sure she should have addressed each judge individually. I mean everyone and their dog knows that there were ill feelings all over the place when Paula Abdul left American Idol. And why wouldn't there be. As loopy and dumb as she came off on the show, people ate it up and loved it. Thus, the high ratings for so long.

And as I write this Simon is telling us how emotional he is about all this and yet he shows no emotion at all. I like Simon, don't get me wrong but PLEASE just get on with it! He is awesome, like Midas! He has a touch, a sense and a know how to turn things into gold. He is good at what he does and naturally his personality is going to make it so he wants to go on to new projects.

Anyway, what a waste of time to have Abdul on and watch her make us all feel so uncomfortable. I don't pay for cable for that! Ew!

Facebook Privacy Issues

2010-05-24T10:46:00.000-06:00

You may have heard that recently there were great problems with Facebook and the topic of privacy. While I do not know all the details on the scandal I am not surprised. I have a Facebook account and while I do not spend a lot of time on there I am somewhat careful about what I share. However, I worry about having my information anywhere. I do not expect others to watch my back and am not near as careful as I should probably be. I place too much trust in others when in fact, I am in charge of my privacy, no one else really is.

With that said I feel the need to cut Facebook some slack. First of all, who would have thought that they would be so big and so popular? Not even it's creator could have known the impact it would make and how many companies would spin off from the idea of the social networking wave. Because these are uncharted waters there is no way they could have been prepared for every single thing. Also, there are new crimes and issues popping up all the time.

We are in a world that is excelling constantly in the area of technology. With that comes certain trials. For those that want to hold Facebook accountable for any privacy issues they have had I say: why not take charge of your own privacy. Simply don't put out into cyberspace what you don't want everyone in the world to know or see.

I have firsthand seen and been a victim of Facebook stupidity. Not the stupidity of Facebook itself or it's staff but of the stupidity of the users. I have had users on Facebook that don't know me accuse me of having an extramarital affair, of being a money greedy woman, of being a disgrace to my religion and more. Funny what those without brains will just assume and then talk about publicly. There really is not a time nor a place for certain things to be discussed and I find that too many things on Facebook walls would be better left in a persons head.

I applaud the CEO of Facebook for this response that he allowed to be re-printed. Who cares how soon he comes out with a public response really, if he had been full of talk early on we would have been after him for not being more worried about taking action. The poor guy was not going to be able to make anyone happy here. I say kudos to taking action and working on solutions rather than just being full of hot air.

Homesick

2010-05-23T22:19:00.002-06:00

I grew up in Southern California. While I love where I live now, Southern California will always have my heart and my feeling of "home".

Recently I was doing some research for a client's website. While researching some restaurants I am familiar with as will as shopping centers my heart strings were pulled. I recall this are being my old stomping grounds and the place where I did a lot of growing up!

What is it about the feeling of home that makes us yearn for certain times and memories? I see it in my own children now. How they see the area that we live in as being home. They love it here and when the thought of moving came along this last year they were nervous. More nervous when they knew it could be a foreign country. It occurred to me then, that home is not just a town but it is a very patriotic feeling.

Article on Landing Pages

2010-05-21T00:53:00.003-06:00

Have you ever encountered those pages (which are now irritating to me) that request that you fill out your information before they will let you have what you are looking for? Ya, me too. I can't say that they are my favorite but I do know how useful they can be.

Years ago I thought that my husband was getting a job transfer to Boston. So, I started looking at properties for rent and to purchase. One website had great properties but I had to register. So, I filled out my personal information and the only thing I ever got from that company was email. I will tell you this - they sent great email! They had homes in exclusive areas around Boston that most of us would love to live in and I loved looking at the listings!

These pages that we come to that get our information because the site has something we want are called "Landing Pages". While I don't like giving out my personal information to just anyone there are some things I am willing to do it for - like the real estate site. Now that I am going to real estate school and embarking on that career I see these pages as a chance to get targeted leads with the ability to contact them via email without fear of being accused of "spam".

Just to let you know, it took me about two years to opt out of my Boston real estate fixation. Still now, in the back of my mind, I dream of living in the surrounding area and if I ever chose to go there and live, I would contact that realtor that was smart enough and provided such great emails. Not everyone can keep you interested weekly for two whole years.

Social Media Work

2010-05-18T14:39:00.004-06:00

I have become affiliated professionally with Social Empire Media Marketing. This has really been a learning experience for me. As I strive to get my real estate license I see the necessity of using social media avenues to bring me customers. It is a very powerful marketing method.

While working with SEMM I have also gotten to work with their clients. This has been a very fun experience. I am providing writing for search engine optimization and general content. Despite my lazy blogging style I actually do love editing and that has been part of what I am doing as well.

The people I get to work with are amazingly talented. Not only do are they creative but their knowledge amazes me. I must say that they are also humble when it comes to things that are not in their area of expertise. This is refreshing because too many of us need to act like we know everything when in fact that is impossible.

Anyway, I am excited about working with this company and also finishing my license. I am also very excited about using social media as a means of generating income! Should be an exciting journey.

We did it!!!

2010-05-13T16:13:00.003-06:00

So, we moved! I guess that getting settled should be the easy part but with a new job pulling at me, trying to wrap up a school year, Little League for two boys, having four kids, and everything else in life, it just doesn't come so easily.

I have to brag. My girls clean house like little merry maids! They are so willing and are so satisfied by doing such work. They really know how to make base boards shine, mop the floor, wash walls and anything else you ask them to accomplish. They are only 3 and 7 and they really impressed me.

My boys who are 11 and 13 rocked! My 13 year old and I did most of the heavy lifting. We got a UHaul truck, a furniture dolly and a hand truck and just did it! Also, I would just tell the two boys to get something and carry it up the stairs I was never be met with a bad attitude. They would always just happily go do it and then poof, it was done! What a wonderful thing to have children that just get in and help without the attitude! I love all four of them soooo much!

On the flip side moving makes me feel like I'm bleeding money. My account is withdrawn (which my family will know is no surprise considering I am banking impaired and I am not curable). I had to give deposits for everything under the sun. I think God may call and want a deposit for my next breath. Good grief!

But, we will recover! It's actually been totally wonderful to do this with my kids and the true payoff came when my son sat in the living room of the new house and said "this feels so homey". Then with every bone in my body tired and aching I thought "this is all worth it". So wonderful to know that they feel like this is home. They have missed their belongings and the things that make "home" what it is for them. I love them with all my heart and hope to make a happy home for them - always!

We're Moving. . . . Again

2010-04-29T11:42:00.003-06:00

Oh boy! Here we go again! We are moving. Of course one of our family members is in Korea but he is the one with the muscle for moving! But, I have hope and confidence that my young sons and I can conquer this all on our own! That is with the help of a UHaul truck with a ramp and a furniture dolly!

We have been gathering the boxes, dumpster diving for them this morning even! Sounds gross but luckily they have dumpsters just for cardboard that are not gross and my son thought it was funny to hop in and throw boxes out of it! At least it was time spent together!

We were also at the local liquor store to collect boxes two mornings in a row right when they opened. We have some family jokes now about getting to the liquor store bright and early! Makes me smile that my kids can make a good time out of just about anything!

Along with moving we have little league, we have Scouts, and church activities and then there is family time with just us and the extended family. We have a few things going on! However, when you are busy time flies and this is good for the kids. When they are busy they still have their dad in their thoughts but they are too busy to dwell on how much they miss him!

Too much laundry detergent!

2010-03-25T10:14:00.002-06:00

Each morning while doing chores and writing I listen to different morning shows like Today, Good Morning America and other shows. Twice this week I have heard talk about laundry. This morning the talk about using too much laundry detergent struck a chord with me.

The talk was about whether or not most people use too much or too little detergent. Naturally most of us use way too much and that we don't realize that water and the agitation in the washer would clean our clothes (most of them) sufficiently. This did not shock me as I usually use less soap than the detergent recommends.

What did speak to me and my situation was that using too much detergent can aggravate sensitive skin. I have a baby that has very dry and itchy skin that get irritated at the drop of a hat. It has become clear to me that soaps and other factors are big irritants. I will now be even more aware of her laundry specifically and even the towels.

One show recommended running your towels through a wash load with no detergent and just watching as it agitates and seeing how many suds form because of left over soap residue. That was gross to me and I know it is a common factor in the mildew smell that towels can get.

Bottom line, this would save us all money if we would just listen and try not to be grossed out!

Where did you come from?

2010-03-15T02:24:00.003-06:00

Many of you have problem seen the new series on television where celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker find out their ancestry and finally come to know of their true lineage. I find this intriguing because many parts of my family are genealogy buffs. I am pretty clear on where I come from and where my husband's family is from. However I am more familiar with one side of my family than the other.

In the past month we have had two family deaths and they they have both been on my mother's side of the family. With my grandfather it was easy because I have met most of the family and we keep in touch. With the death of my mother's uncle came another story. I had not seen this uncle or his wife for many years (I was a small child last time we saw each other). However this change in events took what would have been a very sad occasion and made it one to get to know more of our family and to find out just how much we had in common despite never having met.

I was sorry to learn that this morning after I had left town to head home, the rest of the family looked at old photos of my grandmother and her sister. I would have loved to have seen those photos. It would have also been fun to hear the family talk of those in the pictures. I have never known much of my grandmothers side of the family and because she had to work right up until she was far too sick with cancer, I never really had the chance to spend a lot of quality time with her.

I enjoyed meeting all my cousins and their children. Finding that we were the same age was great. Hearing about fascinating lives, careers and families made it more interesting and in the end you realize that you are really more alike than different even though yesterday you wouldn't have recognized them in passing.

Bottom line: death is sad but it is also a means to get family together and remember who we are and where we came from. It's a chance to remember that everything is bigger than just our little bubble because let's face it, we all get into our bubble and don't like to break out.

Getting Glasses - I can see clearly now!!!

2010-03-03T19:15:00.005-07:00

I first discovered my need for eyeglasses when I was in college and needed to get a driver's license for the state that I was residing in at that time. The eye test proved to be too hard. What I found at a young age was that eyeglasses can be terribly expensive.

Because I had to have a license and I was very young I didn't realize that there were certain great places to get your eyeglasses that could save you a lot of money and not spare style or quality. There are companies that design, manufacture and distribute their own brand of glasses and this prevents a lot of mark up on the pricing! Oh, how I wish I had known such things at the great age of 18 or 19 years old! It would have saved me a bundle and no doubt I could have had more attractive glasses.

There is a great review of ZENNI Opticle by the Examiner. The article explains how wonderful it is and how refreshing it is to find a company that can offer such quality, style, service and selection for such low prices. And we all know that with the economy right now we can all save a few pennies where possible. ZENNI Opticle is a company that knows what you need and they know that you will return again and again because you are sure to be pleased by the company.

If you are in need of a new pair of glasses and you worry about the cost or finding styles that are durable but stylish you don't have to look any further. There are affordable options at ZENNI optical. They only sell their own brand so there is not competition! Your eyeglasses are like jewelry or other accessories: they are very personal and they need to meet your needs but match your style! ZENNI offers it all!

The Bachelor

2010-03-02T07:17:00.002-07:00

Okay, maybe it's just me but I think The Bachelor from this season is so stupid! I know that sounds like I'm in 7th grade but really, I had so much faith in this guy and he seemed like a smart cookie. Until last night. Why on Earth did he choose Vienna? Really? I am begging someone to explain this to me!

Is it that all men only want the less classy, less lady like women who seem to want to put out at the drop of a hat? Recently this is my experience of men! I get sex appeal and believe me, women are looking for something appealing as well but this girl was anything but long term material.

While I do know that chemistry is a huge factor (been in a relationship without that spark for 15 years) I know that it takes the full package and I truly believe that The Bachelor only was thinking of the physical chemistry and having "fun". As Tenley put it "they have something". What that something is may burn out as quickly as it ignited. I hope for their sake that it lasts because break ups are nasty.

I love the choice for the next Bachelorette and think that down the road Tenley may make a great one as well although she is so soft and sweet that she may not do well with handing her heart over to so many men at once.

Can I just digress and mention that Vienna does not seem like the type that he could take to a company party for an airline or be a good and nurturing mother. She seems like the type that would see a baby as a toy, a doll to be dressed up. Not the kind of girl that could take six hours of crying and handle it with class and patience. Why do these things not matter to men in the beginning? It only seems to matter to a guy when the crying baby becomes his problem because he married a twit that didn't know how or didn't want to be a mother.

And Vienna is "fun". I wonder if he has realized that her eyes are googly and that without all the make up she is scary looking. I know that is petty of me but if you knew my whole life's situation you would know why I am so confused by men! It's not that they are so complex as they are very superficial.

Vienna's poor people skills and confrontational nature will not blend well with The Bachelor's sweet family. He has the best sister-in-laws that are anything but abrasive. I wonder why he can't see that she doesn't fit in to any part of his life except his bed. Good grief! It's exhausting watching others be so completely stupid and yet I will watch next season because I have an optimistic side and want to believe that there are smart people out there!

Finding an apartment!

2010-02-17T12:07:00.001-07:00

I am moving soon and have been looking at apartments across the country. I have a grand piano (a full size, not a baby grand) and four children. We also have quite a bit of furniture as you can imagine with a family this size. So, we naturally need space for everyone to sleep as well as a room for the piano or at least a large area.

In addition to all of these factors we are very much interested in having a community that has features like a fitness room, a swimming pool and playground equipment for the little ones. It would also be ideal if the neighborhood or complex were pet friendly but well maintained with residents that follow rules in these regards.

When apartment hunting it can be stressful because moving is expensive and you usually only have so much time to shop around. I was looking at certain apartments like the University of Arizona Apartments and found the descriptions to be great! They include so much useful information and they set a good example of how good shopping can be for an apartment. There were many others that I read and it is hard to find places that offer good descriptions of the area and property.

With four children and the fact that we homeschool we really need a family oriented area with other families with children. Location is also very important because being close to jobs and activities is a time saver as well as costing less on travel. It would be helpful if all apartment searching websites or companies would give you information on the area that is very specific to help you narrow down your search and not waste time and money.

The bottom line is that if we all had a great user-friendly site and/or company to find an apartment it would make the whole process a lot easier. We wouldn't end up settling for the first thing that came along in our price range only to find ourselves locked in a lease on a unit that we don't care for.

Great Vessel Sinks and More at MR Direct

2010-02-16T13:26:00.004-07:00

MR Direct is a fascinating company with a wide variety of products for home building and renovations. I am an extremely visual person so I love things that are appealing but I also like to know that I am going to get a great value on what I purchase.

I have an aunt that loves to renovate homes and when she does them I am always amazed at the unique things that she finds. In one of her homes she had a half bath (naturally for company to use) and this bath had the most beautiful glass vessel sink. She had chosen one that made a beautiful contrast with the surrounding decor so it really stood out as a work of art. A project that I would love would be to make a bathroom so beautiful by adding a lovely vessel sink.

Our community is having a Parade of Homes event right now as they do every year. This gives our local home builders the chance to showcase their work as well as all the manufacturers and decorators in the area. As I was browsing I noticed that glass sinks are very desirable right now! They are easy to care for, look amazing and are original. They definitely make a statement in a home and give the appearance of a very high end home without adding a huge amount of cost to you.

If you are looking for a glass sink or any other kind of fixture or sink related products you will find MR Direct to be a great place! They stand apart from their competition because make and ship their own brand of products. This makes their products more affordable to people like you and me. MR Direct offers a "limited lifetime guarantee" which tell me they stand by their products and that I am buying good quality items.

Olympic Opening Ceremony

2010-02-16T08:18:00.003-07:00

In our home we have the tradition of watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics! My kids absolutely love it and this year we had a whole lot of fun. The kids love the march of nations where all the countries come in and you see their flag and learn how many athletes they have in each event. My boys are little fact gatherers so this was a great deal of fun for them.

My favorite part was when KD Lang sang Hallelujah. It was beautiful! My second favorite part was when they made the whole floor look like an ocean with whales swimming just under the surface of the water! It was so fun to see what effects can be created with lighting and materials to put you in another world.

This year was so different from the last winter games ceremony in Beijing. I thought perhaps no one could top that one off in terms of the WOW factor. I still think Beijing did wow the whole planet but it was nice to see that Vancouver did something completely different and it was still beautiful. Maybe not quite as spectacular but fascinating still.

In the end with the lighting of the torch my heart went out to the technical crew that should have been able to make it all go smoothly. The participants played it quite cool and in the end it was nice. Had they not hesitated I believe that no one would have known there was a problem. Regardless, it was great!

Family Tragedy

2010-02-15T16:13:00.003-07:00

No matter what family you are a part of you will never escape that there will be tragedy at times. The larger your family, I suppose your likelihood of experiencing tragedy increases.

This weekend (both on Valentine's Day) I lost a great uncle as well as my maternal grandfather. They were brother in laws at one point in time and they were not with each other when they passed. We got news of my uncle in the morning while my grandpa was singing in the shower and then heading out to lunch at a local country club. My grandfather came home and as he sat down his wife noticed his eyes rolling back in his head and she knew something wasn't right. She called 911 and they Life Flighted him to a nearby hospital where he passed almost immediately.

I am living with my mother and I was amazed at the feeling of peace that she had come over her. Her father was born in 1918 so he has let an outstanding life. There has never been a harder worker and he always had his independence and right mind. We will all miss him terribly but we are so glad that he was not ill and did not have to suffer. He loved each day of his life and was a delight to be with.

We love you Grandpa!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-10T13:22:00.003-07:00

Why are men so learning impaired about this whole holiday? Sure, there are the men who without fail give the thoughtless flowers and I'm sure somewhere there are women that think this is thoughtful enough. I am not one of those. Flowers are nice, mainly when completely unexpected and frivolous.

I get that Valentine's Day is just a thorn in most men's sides. But for a lot of us it does matter. It does matter to be thought of and if society sets a day aside for this you really do need to go with it. I have been married to a guy who used to tell me "I didn't have a chance to shop", "there was no money", "I forgot", "I didn't even remember that it was a special day". Give me a break. It doesn't have to cost anything if you have a brain although be real: sometimes we want to be spoiled monetarily! If you don't have a chance why do you think we have the Internet? If you forgot you are a thoughtless NITWIT that doesn't deserve a significant other who is thoughtful and if you can't remember that it's Valentine's Day you must be living under a rock on another planet. There is literally NO excuse!

As for late gifts, I can't be clear enough. It would seem that late is better than never but late is just painful on the receiver end. Especially if you didn't agree mutually to celebrate together on another day. If the one you love thought of you but you didn't bother to get your stuff together on time that is cause for hurt feelings.

Bottom line: Be thoughtful. Take the time and if you have it spend a dollar or two at least! If you don't have money or a lot of time there isn't any reason you can't be romantic and thoughtful. Those are mindsets, not tangible things. Make the day special for those that you love.

Were We Meant for Monogamy?

2010-02-04T10:36:00.004-07:00

I just watched an interesting segment that was taken from the Today Show on NBC. Kathy Lee and Hoda were interviewing Donny Deutsch about what men are really thinking. They asked if men were capable of monogamy. I think that the answer from Donny was pretty good. He said that men are capable of it but that it is not the "natural grain".

With that said, men could use this as an excuse and that goes for women as well. Are we not here to overcome the "natural" man. Are we not here to grow and learn and be a step up from the rest of the animal kingdom. I believe that we were put here by a God who loves us and wants us to be the best that we can be and to be unfaithful to someone is not a good character trait. I do think that some people have problems with long term commitments and that too could be overcome with hard work and a lot of therapy but even if you opt out of marriage you could be faithful and loyal to the one you are with at the moment.

I am not condoning a lifestyle where you go sleep around with everyone you date and take it casually. I personally do not think that is right but I know that not everyone believes as I do. Being loyal to a spouse takes all forms. It isn't just about sex. Loyalty means having boundaries so that you don't talk about certain things with those outside of your current relationship. It means that until divorce papers are signed or a relationship is truly OVER that you don't engage in certain behaviors or conversations with someone else of the opposite gender. Always better to be safe than sorry. Then the next person you have a relationship with knows that you will be that loyal to them as well.

Pickup Truck Performance

2010-02-03T15:13:00.003-07:00

For those that drive trucks in this economy you certainly want to save money on gas. Whether it's a pickup truck, an SUV, or even a car, there are things you can do that are affordable and easy that can increase the performance as well as save you a lot on gas!

Air Intake - air intake can increase performance as well as gas mileage. There are many varieties of air intakes. Some increase the airflow while cooling the air that goes into your engine. They can also make a more direct flow of air to the engine and cause things to be more efficient. Some well known benefits of an air intake are:

Increased torque
Increased horsepower
Increased response for throttle
Greater gas mileage

Performance Chips - a performance chip allows you to control the difference performance specifics of your automobile. By doing this you will see increased torque, horsepower and more!

Exhausts - a cat back exhaust hooks up from the catalytic converter and exhaust makes its way out of the engine faster and increases performance. These can also be used for those that want their engine to have a different sound.

All of these items increase your engines performance in great ways! Everyone wants their car to respond quicker, get better gas mileage and be as efficient as possible. These are all great ways to achieve these things.

Country Living

2010-02-03T14:48:00.003-07:00

My husband is in the Army and just finishing his schooling. We are soon to find out where we will be stationed. My kids are hoping that we get to go somewhere that we can live in the country and have some space and a bigger piece of property. The kids are now hoping that we get to move to Virginia. I was all for this until the recent weather reports from there and seeing how cold it is I have my doubts. But, it isn't like I have a say in where we end up so I am just along for the ride.

If it were up to me I think I would choose to live in a rural area of Southern California. I have family all within a days drive of the whole area and I know the climate is something I would love to have everyday! Who couldn't handle more sunshine? I also love the idea of letting my children raise animals for 4H if they want to and to have the pets they would like without worrying about room or snow.

With living in the country would come some hard work that I would find satisfying but I would also love the relaxing atmosphere of country living. I envision porch swings and lemonade while children play without worrying about cars that are speeding down the roads of their neighborhood. A life where you know your neighbors and they watch out for you even if your homes aren't so close that you can see in each other's homes from your own.

While all of this is picturesque I wonder if it will work for our families lifestyle. We homeschool and our school is online. I also do all of my work online so having a reliable Internet connection is crucial. We can't be without Internet at all and we need decent speed on top of that. I was excited to find that there are places like wild blue. They seem to be able to solve these issues.

We decided long ago to cancel our home phone line and just use our cell phones so I was very glad to know that WildBlue would work without a phone line and the pricing is better than what I have in our city location now! They don't even charge installation fees! It was also refreshing to see how fast the download speeds were!

If I can have such great Internet service I am sure that country living will work for us! Now if only we could help pick the location or at least hurry up and find out where we are going!

2010 Grammy Awards

2010-01-31T23:00:00.001-07:00

This was a great year for music and I was thrilled when Grammy night finally came! It did not disappoint! Here is the low down of the awards:

Album of the year: Taylor Swift
Record of the year: Kings of Leon
Song of the year: Beyonce's "Single Ladies"
Best new artist: Zac Brown Band
Best female pop performance: Beyonce with Halo
Best male pop performance: Jason Mraz with Make it Mine
Best performance by duo or group: Black Eyed Peas with I Gotta Feeling
Best pop collaboration: Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat with Lucky
Best pop instrumental: Throw Down Your Heart by Bela Fleck
Best pop instrumental album: Potato Hole by Booker T. Jones
Best pop vocal album: Black Eyed Peas with The E.N.D.
Best dance recording: Poker Face by Lady Gaga
Best dance album: Lady Gaga
Best traditional pop album: Michael Buble
Best rock song: Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

This is not a comprehensive list but it covers the awards I actually cared about the most. My main reason for watching is not to see who is going to win although I was conflicted this year. I love Lady Gaga, Beyonce, U2 and Dave Matthews Band and I truly think that Taylor Swift is great. I could not have chosen a winner unless it was based on mood.

The performances altogether were great. Lady Gaga opened with Sir Elton John and it was outstanding. Pink was flawless, Green Day has rarely sounded so good or seemed that sober, Dave Matthews Band was perfection in my eyes and because my 11 year old son loved the Bon Jovi performance, so did I. The only disappointment I was truly disappointed in was Taylor Swift. She had the greatest opportunity because she was singing with Stevie Nicks and then Taylor seemed off key for the whole performance. I am a musician and it seemed to me that Stevie Nicks (queen of harmonizing) was really trying to steer her back but to no avail. It was a mess.

As for the Black Eyed Peas: they have more energy than you can ever imagine and they are fun. I just saw them open for U2 this past year in Las Vegas and I must say that they were much better at the concert than they were tonight. Fergie was outstanding live in Vegas but she was missing something tonight. Nonetheless, I am a loyal Black Eyed Peas fan. They are strictly fun and I love and need that! For all you fellow parents, rest assured, I do not let my children listen to just anything. I have my mp3 player and they have theirs and I am the only one that adds music to theirs and I am very careful about lyrics! (That is one of the parenting things I actually do right!)

Overall it was a fun show. They did Michael Jackson's Earth Song in 3D with Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Usher (sigh), Carrie Underwood and Smokey Robinson with Michael Jackson's recording. It was awe inspiring and inspirational. I was crying it was so incredible.

Another main highlight for me was Andrea Bocelli with Mary J. Blige. They sang Bridge Over Troubled Water with David Foster on piano and it was amazing. Beyonce was also amazing with her performance as usual. In another life I would like to come here in her body with her voice! I don't need her husband or anything else but she is so beautiful and so talented! Wow!

For all the winners: Congratulations! For those that didn't win please keep up the wonderful music. We were lucky this year. So many great contributions to music history!

2010 Houston Rodeo

2010-01-30T12:16:00.003-07:00

The truth of the matter is that I love cows. Ask anyone close to me and they will tell you that I really do have a thing for cows! I dated a guy once that had a ranch and I loved everything to do with the animals and the whole lifestyle. It was a dream come true, if only for a space in time.

Now I can keep dreaming but the only time I get to see these great animals is driving on highways and by going to our local rodeo which is great. We are lucky to have such a large event here. With that said I must admit that it would be a thrill to go to the Houston Rodeo! The 2010 Houston Rodeo is worth attending if only for the music! I do enjoy the actual livestock shows and rodeo part of things as well but I love music as much as I love cows.

There is something about a rodeo that is akin to a great fair. The atmosphere, the crowds all there to have fun and just the great energy of the whole event. Everyone seems to be happy and having a jolly time! Who wouldn't want Houston Rodeo tickets? It just sounds dreamy. Houston has great weather and so many things to do and see! The rodeo tickets for the Rodeo & Livestock Show are so affordable. It would be so fun to get to go and be part of such a huge event that offered so much excitement and entertainment. I'm competitive so I would love to see the events!

While I have never been to this fantastic Houston Rodeo I would love to attend at some point. This year may be impossible for me which is sad considering some of the talent that will be there but this is going on my list of things I want to do with my kids!

2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits

2010-01-30T11:55:00.005-07:00

For those of you who are looking to buy a home you should be aware that you can still take advantage of First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that are available. These credits can give you up to an $8,000 tax credit! This is an incredible offer for those that are in the market to purchase.

With home prices coming down each week, now is a great time to purchase a home! There are many deals out there right now that include short sales and foreclosures. It is important to know the guidelines of what qualifies. You may be shocked to find out that even if you have owned a home in the past you can still qualify as a "first time homebuyer".

The video here discusses the guidelines for the tax credit for different types of homebuyers. It also clears up the deadline dates and more. For example you have until April 30, 2010 to have a contract written for the purchase and you have until June 30, 2010 to close on your home. So many people do not realize that there is still time to take advantage of this incredible offer and while saving money you are helping the economy! This is a win-win offer!

Our Troops!!!

2010-01-28T09:03:00.003-07:00

The truth of the matter is that I am so patriotic that I can't even make it through the Pledge of Allegiance or the Star Spangled Banner. I simply become a blubbering mess. My brother is in the Navy as is one of my best friends. My husband has also joined the Army full time at the ripe old age of 37. I appreciated the fact that the one thing both parties in Washington D.C. can agree on is that we support the troops!

As the wife of a soldier I can say that I honestly support our troops 100% but I do think that the Army or someone should try to talk sense into it's members. I think that joining these armed forces is a "young persons" thing to do. My husband was in no way at a stage in life where it made sense to join and the repercussions are horrible. However, there is no ill words about the armed forces, our president or anything else about our country to be said in our home. My children recently picked up some trash talk about President Bush from a neighbor kid and I had to put my foot down.

My words to my children were that while we may disagree and we can have an educated conversation about the pros and cons of decisions, we ultimately have to support no matter what because we are ONE Nation!

Zenni Optical - Quality Eyeglasses: Low Cost!

2010-01-27T20:22:00.004-07:00

As mentioned in previous posts I want to bring ways to save money to my readers. Zenni Optical is an amazing company that offers quality eyeglasses for the most affordable prices I have ever seen. In a recent review in the SLC Examiner it was mentioned that their eyeglasses start at just $8 per pair.

This is an amazing company that only sells their own brand. They don't carry other brands and that is how your cost stays so low. They simply take out the retail "middle man" that needs to mark the price up. At Zenni Optical they make their eyeglasses and sell them directly to you!

My last pair of eyeglasses cost me $300 plus at a retailer so to see that you can get stylish and yet affordable eyeglasses starting at $8 I was thrilled. There are many places that will give free eye exams or even offer them for an extremely low cost! This means that it doesn't take half of your paycheck just to get your eyes examined and get your glasses. In this economy this is a huge savings.

For those that are worried that you won't be able to get styles that you like, rest assured that Zenni Optical understands that your style is yours and only yours. They have a generous selection of styles and prices to fit every need. You just can't lose with this outstanding company.

New Book "The Value of Nothing"

2010-01-27T20:08:00.002-07:00

There is a book out right now by author and activist Raj Patel. The books title is "The Value of Nothing". This is an insightful book to certain beliefs and opinions. It is written from a point of view that you may not have looked at the world from. It makes you think and that, in my opinion, is what a good book should do: promote thoughts!

When I went to Raj Patel's website to read about his thoughts I was impressed by his knowledge in world matters and the scope of certain things in our lives. While I may not agree with the views in every matter I can appreciate the fact that they raised an awareness in me that had not been there before. I love learning new things and this made me feel as though I had been exposed to an educated persons thinking and it had increased my own knowledge. While I was not swayed in my own values or beliefs I appreciated the thoughts that were presented and the fact that I often do not look at the world in such a broad sense. I very rarely think about how to solve the whole world's financial woes but someone needs to and it is good to get people thinking about things on a global scale, not just on the home front. It is easy in these financial times to only deal with what is right in front of you but we really do need to look at the whole picture for the future.

It is also notable to tell readers that there is a sweepstakes that you can enter to win a copy of this book. You won't be sorry that you took the time to read it so why not try to win a copy. In the meantime enjoy the video and perhaps you will also feel that your thoughts were stirred.

Brad Pitt's Beard - The cause of the end of Brangelina?

2010-01-24T14:35:00.003-07:00

Okay, it is absurd, but I still can't help but make the connection between Brad Pitt's "beard" and the news today about the break up between he and Angelina Jolie. A break up is never a good thing when there are children involved and I am already full of sympathy for those children because they will never be left alone by the media but I am sure they are blessed in many ways and perhaps their parents really are great people, I will never know.

I just can't get over that stupid "beard" thing that Brad is sporting. I do think that Angelina Jolie has some very strange taste in men and thought that Brad was perhaps the classiest thing she had done in a long time (no pun intended, but I think it is comical). The fact that it even appears that Brad cheated on Jennifer Aniston lessened his "class factor" but the "beard" just tops it all off.

Yes, I could be obsessed but what really gripes me is that we have a crisis in Haiti and yet "Brangelina" made headlines yet again. I know, it's all about the almighty dollar but it is killing me. This morning I heard that there were people in Haiti in tent cities that have received NOTHING but water from the Red Cross as of yet. While I get the importance of allotting funding in a responsible manner, we raised 57 million dollars for Haiti the other night, do you think those poor people could get something more than water from someone? How would you like to get nothing but water for 12 days after losing your home, your job, your loved ones? I am disgusted. I wish that my children were in a place to get on a plane and get there if only to make the smallest of differences with our energy, time and what money we have.

I have a great idea! Brad and Angelina are such great philanthropists and that was part of what they loved doing together so maybe they could find their groove together again if they would shave that dumb "beard" off and go help out with their hands in Haiti. Just a thought! Perhaps I am a bit to persnickety today!

Finger Lickin' Fifteen

2010-01-23T12:39:00.003-07:00

I'm sure there are plenty of you out there that are into the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. These books came to my attention a little late in the game and I managed to get all caught up last summer. However, do to crazy schedule issues I just haven't had much time to read so the last one "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" got put on a shelf for several months. I just came out of my non-reading coma decided that I needed some light hearted and fun reading. This was exactly what I needed.

For those of you who have issues with some foul language and a some crude subjects you will not like these books. They are definitely rated PG-13 in my opinion. But if you are okay with the subject matter you will love this book. The great things with this series is that you can come into it with any book and be just fine. I will say though that they are so fun to read from book one and go in order. The characters will have you laughing out loud and who couldn't use that?

The main character, Stephanie Plum, started as a lingerie sales person at a department store but finds herself unemployed and then working for her uncle who is a bail bondsman. She becomes quite the bounty hunter and has some fun sidekicks and men in her life, not to mention her family! The laughs just keep coming and this is a great weekend book or summer book.

Hope for Haiti Telethon - A Few Thoughts

2010-01-22T22:18:00.003-07:00

I watched some - not all of the telethon tonight. So impressive to see how many celebrities came out and to see such astounding talent. I was thrilled to see the music stars such as Bono, Dave Matthews and Rihanna, just to name a few. It was a lot of fun to see Reese Witherspoon and Jack Nicholas on the phone lines! How fun would it have been to call in and get to talk to one of them?

The devastation in Haiti has been heart wrenching. To watch the news stories makes you tear up daily. It is so sad what has happened there and yet the people are so resilient and strong. So full of hope. What a great example to all of us.

It was wonderful to see so many talented people come forward and put something together that was solely for this poverty stricken nation. I will say that Brad Pitt's facial hair was killing me. Yes, I know that is not what the whole thing was about but it was distracting. I can't remember a word of what he said because I was trying to figure out what he was going for with that weird straggly stuff hanging from his face. It was truly bizarre.

One things I appreciated was that so many stars came out to the telethon and looked like the rest of us, just normal people, showing up to get their hands dirty and work. Most of the time we see them on red carpets, concerts and on the television or movie screen. This was truly wonderful to see so many of them just look like the focus actually was on a nation in crisis instead of how many hours they spent in makeup and how great the lighting was going to be for them.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those in need in Haiti. To those that have lost loved ones and for those that need homes, health care, and especially to those that now need parents or have lost their own children. It is a shame that parents or children ever have to endure the untimely death of each other. If I could I would scoop all of those children up and give them the home that they need.

South Beach Living Bars

2010-01-22T02:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, I admit it, I have an addiction! I am addicted to South Beach Living Meal Bars in the chocolate flavor. No, I'm not on a diet. I just really like things that taste like chocolate Rice Krispie treats and can't get enough of it! On top of which they keep headaches away for me and they make me feel good. It's like having your cake and eating it too. You get a multi-vitamin, protein, and chocolate all in one - I think I've died and gone to heaven!!!

You must try these, just one box, you will be hooked. It will be the best thing you ever did. Okay, right up there with the Wii Fit! Not only am I hooked but my children LOVE them. There are times when they will ask for them!

My only complaint is that the stores I live close to only stock four or five boxes at a time. This may seem excessive to you, and yes, it is. The thing is, I have four children so if we all have one that pretty much wipes out a box. No matter, I buy up whatever they have every time I shop. Best investment possible. They are perfect if you are rushing to a little league game but don't have time for a meal. They are also easy to keep around so they save you money on quick and easy drive thru food if you are out and about. I keep several in my purse at all times.

The last thing I will say about these magnificent little gems is that they help me keep headaches away. I happen to get migraine headaches and if I don't eat balanced meals and snacks without enough protein I get a headache without fail. These bars have a whopping 12 grams of protein so there is no worry there! I don't use them as a meal replacement often (well, not for the whole family) but when you need something, it just doesn't get any better!

A Few of My Favorite Things - A Gratitude List

2010-01-17T02:43:00.002-07:00

Tonight my 13 year old son came to me in complete tears. Crying for the divorce his parents are going through, crying that his dad joined the Army. Just crying because he said everything in his life stunk. It is hard to know how to handle such situations but thanks to a book that my brilliant therapist recommended called "Emotional Intelligence" I learned some tools.

First, I listened to him and just heard him out. Second, I repeated back to him what I heard him saying and let him know that I sympathized with his situation. Third, I asked him to tell me something good about his life. As soon as we got talking about the good things in his life we were on the path to being okay again.

When I was in college I remember making a list of things I was grateful for at that time. I may still have that list somewhere. It was full of everything I could think of back then, right down to paper clips. I remember how that list, just the making of that list, got me out of my rut and I recalled tonight how many times I have had to do the same thing for myself. What I had not realized was how long it had been since I made a real "gratitude list".

So, without further ado, here is the short list of a few of my favorite things: My children, my family, my outstanding friends, my sister-in-laws (all four!), sunshine, sunshine, sunshine, warm weather, water, the beach, road trips, a car that runs good, a warm bed, flannel sheets, socks that fit right, barefoot feet, clean bathrooms, fresh laundry, hanging the laundry on the line, having no credit card debt (woot woot!!!) and tacos!

Those are just a few of my favorite things. The list could go on forever but even as I write one paragraph I am smiling so huge!

Sono Bello Clinics - A New Year, A Beautiful You!

2010-01-12T17:40:00.004-07:00

While I am not the biggest fan of plastic surgery (only because surgery in general seems scary to me) I will say that I find the latest treatments fascinating and would love to give them a try. I recently found out about Sono Bello clinics and some of the procedures they offer.

For years I have been saying that the one plastic surgery I would consider was a tummy tuck. Upon finding out that tummy tucks included lipo suction I was worried about it but as I read more I am less concerned. They have so many state of the art procedures that are less invasive than ever. Sono Bello offers a lipo suction treatment that leaves very little or no scarring, less bruising and has a quicker recovery time than anything else I have read about. You can bet that this is one of the first procedures I would be looking into. You don't even have to be put under general anesthesia and that is a big deal!

As the New Year is here we all want to feel better and look better. Along with diet and exercise many of us will turn to other avenues to help us feel better about ourselves. Today on television I heard someone say something to the effect of "even if you stay home with kids or work from home: look cute for you". This is so true! We feel better when we look better. We suddenly become confident and more excited to go live our lives.

This is not to say we should look plastic or artificial in any way but I do believe that all things were put here for our use as long as we use good judgement. Why wouldn't we want to use safe and less invasive ways of reaching our beauty goals when possible. Thanks to clinics like Sono Bello we all can!

Is it possible to LOVE your mini-van?

2010-01-04T15:08:00.003-07:00

I spent the better part of my life trying to avoid the minivan possibility. But upon child number three I broke down and despite their ugliness we got a minivan. And yes, no matter what they do to them they are all ugly, there is not an exception here. We were spoiled with our first one because a family member helped with financing it which kept our payments low. We paid something like $7000 for a used Mercury Villager. It's redeeming quality was that an older couple owned it and it was "fully loaded"! We were in heaven with our "new to us" van and the possibility of taking family members and friends with us in the car.

Then we got greedy and wanted bigger and better. So we bought another used van but it only had 11,000 miles on it so we thought that was really great! I was the picky one here. We bought this van when the Stow 'n Go features were brand new. Only Dodge and Toyota had these features and we knew that the Toyota was WAY out of our price range. So despite all of my negative thoughts about Dodge we bought the Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. I have not had any buyers remorse. It must be said that something is always wrong with the van. These are not things that are always wrong with 2005 Dodge minivans but mine has had a new engine a new compressor and various other traumatic events. And we are still under 70,000 miles. We have had several mechanics perplexed at why our van has so many problems because they speak highly of that years model. Despite the constant financial drain and inconvenience I still love that stupid van.

I suppose that something happened at one point that caused me to have no pride (giving birth I think takes most of your pride away) and not care about how "sporty" you look. Cool and sexy are not words in your vocabulary unless you are talking about someone else. Then comes the convenience over "cool and sexy" factor. Who doesn't want a people hauler that when you fold all the seats right flush with the floor can bring your Christmas tree home!?! I mean really, this beats sexy hands down!

Then there is the fact that I don't have to open the side doors. This isn't even a new feature and yet I have teens that are amazed by this feature when they get in my car. And yes, we are that awesome family with the DVD player that is wired into the fairly decent sound system (well it was until I blew the right side speakers trying to be into hip hop). So, when a group of teens is in my car waiting on anything they are fully entertained! Very cool, just not in the ways that were cool when I was 20 years younger.

Why did this come to mind today? Because my son was missing a pillow that did not belong to him that he borrowed on the holidays and I was frantically looking for this pillow. Then we remembered hauling his stuff home in the storage compartments in the van. Those huge bins under the middle seats that store jumper cables, sleeping bags and even store hidden birthday and Christmas gifts! I love those storage bins!

Funny how time changes us all and different things become important. For now, good storage and decent gas mileage really do it for me! I love my stupid minivan, the one I swore I would never own!

South Point Hotel & Casino Las Vegas

2009-12-29T17:28:00.002-07:00

I just got to have four days by myself starting on Christmas Day. I chose to go away on a mini vacation and chose to stay at South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is only a few hours drive from my home so that was nice and I could make it home if there was an emergency with one of my children but nothing of the sort happened!

I have stayed at this hotel many times and have loved it more each time. The rates are always very reasonable and while there may be cheaper hotels in Vegas there are none as nice for the money. The rooms are always immaculate and they are big! This is a great bonus. I had a standard non-smoking room with a king size bed. The great thing is that they have wonderful huge flat screen televisions that are hung on the wall. They have a great assortment of movies you can watch (for a fee of course) and the rooms are comfortable to stay in.

This stay I ventured out to Baja Miguel's Mexican Restaurant on the upper floor. It was really great service, excellent food (I tried the fajitas one night and then tacos on another) and great atmosphere. I have previously gone to Don Vito's Italian Restaurant and has a perfect meal. The cafe in the hotel is an excellent choice as is the deli (the deli has a 15% off coupon in the little booklet you get at check in). I have not been the the buffet yet but it appeared to be delicious. The line was quite long though and not moving really fast at dinner time so you may want to go early.

The other thing I tried was just playing video poker at the sports bar while watching games. I won! This was new for me in general with gambling of any kind so naturally I was in favor! The sports bar had great bartenders who could actually have an intelligent conversation about the football season and were great on service! As long as you are playing you get free drinks which is a perk (as is the case in most casinos I have been at and as I don't really drink it was nice to just get free soda and bottles of water). The check in booklet of savings also offers a coupon for a free well drink or cocktail of your choice. That little booklet is full of savings.

I have also bowled while I was there at another time. South Point Hotel has the greatest bowling alley and I also ate at the snack bar there and was very pleased. It was a great time and very affordable. With so many lanes it is easy to be there and feel like you are part of the fun but it is not a crowded feeling. Next time I go I would love to try the Bingo that goes on next to the bowling alley. They also have a huge theatre that would be fun to go see a movie at.

Check in and checking out were both smooth sailing and housekeeping was more than generous with coffee, soaps and linens everyday! It is an excellent hotel! The only things that would make it better (but would make it cost more to stay) are an indoor pool, free Internet access and free fitness room. But as I stated, these items would increase the price and aren't important enough to me in general to not stay there. Overall this is the great escape and one of the best kept secrets in Las Vegas. I was glad to see that they were so very busy on this particular weekend.

Finding Web Hosting Information That Is Reliable at Web Hosting Geeks

2009-12-15T09:51:00.004-07:00

Recently I have chosen to start several new websites on various subjects. Each site has their own specific needs so "one size fits all" hosting may not be the best plan but I was not educated enough to decide on what type of hosting to purchase just yet.

I was more than happy when I came across a site called Web Hosting Geeks! This is the best knowledge base to be found for all things web hosting related! They have great hosting reviews and so much information that I feel like I can now make a great and educated choice!

One of my sites is bound to grow very quickly and I am probably going to have to choose a company that can upgrade me to VPS hosting or have a dedicated server in time. This may be a ways off but it is nice to know that there are web hosting companies out there that offer good basic hosting that you can upgrade as your site growth dictates.

While I am here I would like to explain a little about the difference between VPS hosting and a dedicated server. I was not clear on this until I visited Web Hosting Geeks and read up on the topics.

VPS hosting is a Virtual Private Server. You have a lot of the same luxuries of a dedicated server but you don't pay as much. You basically use one compartment of a server just for your needs. Because your site is not on the same server with countless other sites you will see that you have increased uptime and that you site is more reliable. The bottom line is that for the great pricing on most VPS hosting it seems hard to beat the security and the fact that it is completely customizable to meet your needs. This is a great option for those that have outgrown basic shared hosting but aren't quite ready for a dedicated server.

A dedicated server is a great option for a large company. This is a server that is 100% dedicated to your site and your site alone. You control everything there is to do with the server and you can customize it to be exactly as you need it. This option takes away the fear of not having enough bandwidth or storage space. You simply won't run into that problem. You can perform site maintenance or upgrades when you know that your site traffic permits, not as your shared host dictates. Overall, the possibilities with a dedicated server are endless. You should have some knowledge of how to deal with a server going into this unless you have someone to manage things for you that you trust.

I can't tell you how much trouble and time Web Hosting Geeks saved me with their thorough information and the easy to use format in which they have everything on the site. It is a great site to get web hosting information but to also read up on other's experiences with various web hosting companies. I found their reviews to be extremely helpful! You are sure to visit this site time and time again!

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Wii Game Review

2009-12-11T11:53:00.003-07:00

We bought this game about six weeks ago. Our main purpose was that we wanted a game that our kids could play with friends on the WiFi network for Wii games. The game is a blast, the kids all love it. I failed to do my research ahead of time and didn't realize that all you can really do with the WiFi part is share statistics with other players online or over the network. This was not really what I had wanted. We wanted a game that they could compete against other kids that they know across the country.

This was a great purchase though. I was glad that we purchased the game through WalMart because I just found out that for about $3 they offer a replacement plan on their games which means that no matter what may happen to that game they replace it. It could get scratched or start to glitch and it is replaced with no cost to you after the original $3. I am converted and will continue to purchase games and movies there for as long as I have a toddler. We have lost so many games to scratches!

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a fun game but it could use some improvements. Our family loves events like bobsledding and ski jumping. The girls really like the ice skating and even the three year old gets how to do it and is pretty good. The speed skating is a bit odd because the movement of your hand is just wiggling it around. That feels a bit odd. There are a few of the games involved that you do the same thing over and over which could improve but there are things in the dream events and other events like snowboarding that will keep you coming back. They are amazingly fun and have fun graphics.

The fun part is that in a crowd the kids all love to play it together. That makes it fun and for those not playing it is fun to stand by and watch and be part of the group. This game still could use some improvements in it's consistency level and in the way that the player interacts with the specific events but overall it is a lot of fun and money well spent.

Homeschool - Back to School

2009-08-10T15:21:00.003-06:00

Recently a new article about the supplies for homeschooling was written. This is a great article with reminders that homeschool students need a lot of the same supplies if not more than public or private school students.

This same site has another article this week about getting started on homeschooling. Great organizational tips and other helpful hints.

Whether you homeschool or send your child to a bricks and mortar school you will find that being organized and prepared are essential to a good schooling experience. There are so many great products to help us all stay organized. We are lucky that some retailers offer great prices on such things so that each of us can really enjoy them.

Jon & Kate Plus 8

2009-06-24T17:26:00.004-06:00

Ya, I know. It's everywhere and a lot of people are sick of it! I am tired of the media spin as well but today I read something that made me ponder the whole scope of this poor families situation and about life in general.

My heart goes out to this family. The media has put them under a microscope that most of us would die under. Can you imagine having everything you do scrutinized? I know that I would not come out looking nearly as fine as this family does! I think that Kate is very critical and bossy and yet, I think I am a lot like her in that way. I just wish I were as organized and energetic as well! I think that Jon is a nice guy in general but as a wife I can see how he would drive me crazy so I think I relate to her better. Most of all, I am married with children and know all too well that there are two sides to every story and to place blame on just one person would be disasterous!

Isn't it odd how people change? Kate Gosselin makes the point of swiftly the two went in different directions. I am sure that a lot of people want to blame their financial success or the media exposure for this but I think that it is a common thread among a lot of couples. Most of us choose our spouse when we are very young. We think that we are marrying the person right for us and at that very time we may be. Then each person begins to grow, not always at the same time and definitely not always in the same direction. This is the hard part. You never know where your roads will lead you but hopefully you can try your best to grow and change together and somehow stay in love with each other.

Bottom line, I hope that this couple can continue doing what is second best for the children. Naturally the best thing is to stay in love and married. I do not think that it is best for children to grow up with the example of two people who stay married because "it's the right thing to do" if there is not love behind it. I think there needs to be the glue behind the scenes to hold the couple together. I also know that children are the ones who end up the losers in divorce no matter what. I think that the younger they are the more resilient so hopefully the Gosselin children will be accepting of the situation as best as possible. My main concern is that this couple has never been overly friendly to each other. I hope that in whatever ways they pass by each other and interact that they can be friends and be unified in what needs to happen for the children. Those kids as well as us viewers have seen too much contention in their household already. The couple bickers and they are in general unkind to one another. Maybe with all of the emotional issues set aside they can be civil and even friendly.

For any readers going through marital hardships my heart goes out to you and I wish the best for you. Being married is the greatest thing when it is going well. It is also the hardest thing most of us will ever do. I do believe that a good marriage is a wonderful thing!

Memorial Day Vacation!

2009-05-29T15:48:00.002-06:00

So I had the great fortune of being in the Washington D.C. area for Memorial Day! I went to visit my brother and his wife at their home in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It is absolutely gorgeous there and the weather was perfect. Lucky me!

We saw Arlington, Mount Vernon, all of downtown D.C. and I got to spend my last day in Baltimore with great old friends. Inner Harbor is fantastic. I will say that my brother and his wife took me there for dinner right after picking me up from the airport and it was fabulous. On my last day there the harbor was really smelly but still beautiful. It had just decided to rain in the form of a blanket of mist. It was still a blast. The water taxi is fun and I have to go back because the two times I was there I missed doing the paddle boats. :)

I also got to go to the National Aquarium and see the dolphin show. It was amazing. Dolphins are my favorite. Nothing could have made my trip better except maybe some extra time. It went by very quickly for me. I missed my children but it was hard to come back to the everyday living and get my head in the game. I loved my vacation of six days! Next time I go though, I hope to have my children with me to share all of the wonders with them. I would also like to take them to Williamsburg.

Thanks to my whole family on both sides of the country for making the trip possible. It was the best!

Pandora Radio & Other Random Thoughts

2009-05-12T23:49:00.003-06:00

First off I must pay tribute to Dave Matthews Band and Jason Mraz for the best Saturday night that a girl could have. Wow!!! What a conert. Very awesome!

Second, let's here it to the Las Vegas Hilton for cheap rooms that are actually decent!!!

Third, but never least is Pandora Radio online. I am an addict. I abosolutely love creating my own stations to fit whatever mood I am in. What a wonderfult thing for someone to come up with. I am hooked!

Wii Fit and Nintendo Wii, I'm a BIG Fan!!!

2008-12-31T02:17:00.003-07:00

So, my children all saved up all their money for most of the year and then pooled it all together (despite the fact that some had more than others) and together they bought a Nintendo Wii, Wii Fit, and Wii Play. They were also able to buy three extra controllers so that everyone can play together.

I am in love with this machine! The fact that we have all been so active for hours each day is astounding to me and we are doing it together so that is icing on the cake.

I am proud of my children for working together and not having any attitude about it. They have allowed my husband, my brother and I to play for hours each day with no whining!

Despite the fact that every muscle in my pathetic body hurts from head to toe, I love that too. It means that something is working for good! YEAH! It's about time.

Christmas was a hard time around here and we told the kids that there would not be much. Our total Christmas budget for our little immediate family (of six, so not so little) was $200. My DH and I did not do a thing for each other, not even a card. It was our gift to each other. The kids were told that they had to get gifts for each other ($5 on each gift limit) and then they couldn't spend any other money until after Christmas.

Despite the fact that most of what they got were necessities, they acted thrilled and so grateful. So, when my DH and I hinted that they could probably get the Wii for themselves they were out of their minds and we were thrilled for them.

We pay the older children $5 per week allowance and the smaller (5 years old) $3 per week. Unless it is a birthday or Christmas we literally buy them nothing that isn't clothing or toiletries. They are all on their own for extras in life. Through allowance they have learned the value of a dollar, how to work hard, that money doesn't come easy, how to save and the satisfaction of saving for something. I know that with the Wii, they will treasure it and use it properly because they know how long and hard it took to get it, it didn't just fall into their laps.

As for allowance I will say that I expect the moon out of my children and if they do not do what is expected they pay us. For us allowance is not just for breathing, you really work and you would die before thinking about complaining about doing what you are asked to do. Cheerful attitudes all around are factored into whether they get a dime. They are also expected to put 10% in savings and 10% to tithing for our church before anything else gets spent.

The older they get, the more they want to save. Every trip to the store or online shopping they are amazed at the cost of things. They are aware of price reductions and inflation. I cannot say that at 12, 10 or 5 I was aware of such things but they are getting it. Hopefully they will be better at managing money than I have ever been.

Bottom line, I love allowance (not just because it got me a Wii too) and I do love the Wii because of the fun we have had together. Truly worth waiting for since we have wanted one since they came out. We all feel so blessed that we could have this for our family. It was going to be our Christmas until money got tight so it is an extra special family treat!

This got way too long so for any poor person reading, I do apologize!

GE Microwave Oven JES738WJ

2008-12-19T23:15:00.005-07:00

Here is the second microwave oven in four months from Wal-Mart that completely died. One minute it was fine, the next it completely died.

I realize that we are down on our luck in the microwave category but this is ridiculous! Maybe it's Wal-Mart, maybe it is because I don't want to spend over $100 for a counter top microwave. Who knows?

What I do know is that I bought another microwave today and I got it at Home Depot. Thought I may have better luck at a different retailer. Wal-Mart drives me crazy! Not only do I have to return yet another microwave but you know I'm going to have to stand in line with it for an hour just to get it done! Has anyone ever gone there for any reason and not had to stand in line forever? Oy!

Rekindling friendships and keeping them as friendships, nothing more.

2008-12-04T23:53:00.003-07:00

Recently I have had the chance to reaquaint myself with some friends from high school and college through the wonders of the internet. While I think that this has been fun it also causes me alarm. I think that when a person is in a committed relationship (like my marriage) that you don't go messing with things that could even maybe cause a problem down the road. So, I'm a bit skeptical.

I have found it hard to be my current age while dealing with people that take me back to being 17. I instantly want to flirt the way that we used to or to say things that I would have said 17 years ago. It takes everything in me to not say what I want or to flirt when I would like. But it is worth it. I have all that I could ever wish for and the grass is seldom if ever greener on the other side.

One guy that I have gotten back into contact with was someone that I was very close to. We were great friends and then that became more, even carrying over into college. Somewhere along the line we dropped the thought of "us". I don't remember the day that it happened but I do remember the feeling of "this is going nowhere and why would I want it to, we are too different, it will lead to divorce". Divorce was never in my cards.

So we get chatting the other night and some things from the past came up. I had broken off contact with this person because after I married (he came to my wedding) it seemed that he did not have the ability to be happy for me and it let me know loud and clear just what kind of friend he really was. Not the kind I needed! So, we lost touch for about 12 years. It was needless but we weren't mature enough to talk things through. But by some miraculous wonder we were able to chat (IM) for a while and in just a few paragraphs a whole ton of bricks was lifted off of me. I found out that he really did care about me (he could be lying but it worked) and I cared about him. The problem was timing and priorities and immaturity. We were in way over our heads at the time. We both agreed that things while we would go back and do things differently we would want the same outcome that led us to our lives today. It was a very healing (sounds cheesy) conversation. He has been married 9 years to a cute girl and I have been married almost 14 years.

All these years of wondering and now there is piece in that one small compartment of my heart. It made me feel so at ease. It also made me love my husband so much more. Whenever I have an online conversation or text (especially with someone of the opposite sex) I always fill my husband in on every detail because I don't want him to feel threatened or to ever think that I am seeking out something else to fill a void in my life.

Now everything is out in the open and I am happier than I thought I would be. I don't think that I fully realized the impact of that unfinished business on my life. Yes, I'm mental and proud of it. I have feelings. I am normal.

Most of all, I am grateful to a husband that hears me out and lets me talk it through. He validates all of my feelings and takes my side or at least helps me see the other side of things. He is my #1 fan and cheerleader. I married so right! I am so blessed!

In the early morning hours...

2008-11-20T03:29:00.002-07:00

My DH works two jobs and we recently started a small business due to someone approaching us to do some work. So, really make that three jobs. On top of which, the poor man is married to me which is the equivalent of four full time jobs. He is also a wonderful father.

The wonderful thing is that his part time job is in the early morning. Which means that he wakes up at 3 a.m. and gets to work at 4 or earlier. I don't know how he does it but he has done it for years. He always manages to stay up and listen to me for a long time at night as well. Usually not getting to sleep before 10 p.m. It's amazing how little sleep he can survive on and how much sleep I seem to need. If I am not pulling a good eight hours per night I am no better than my toddler at keeping my act together. It's frightening!

What I don't like is that my DH has a hard time waking up. So, he sets two alarms. One across the room and one on his nightstand. They go off every few minutes as he is a fan of snooze buttons. This kills me. More often than not I sit here blogging at 3:30 or 4:30 in the morning because of said alarms! I can't possibly ask him to change his set up because I couldn't do what he does and I am so grateful for how hard he works.

No matter how grateful, I still hate being up at 3:30 a.m. These are the freakishly long hours of the morning. Nothing on television, you can't get up and do housework or you wake four kids up (not a chance, I love bedtime!), and the neighbors really don't want to hear the lawnmower running. So, Dear Readers, you get my early morning ramblings and frivolous thoughts!

Stupid Landscaper and Freaky Neighbors!

2008-11-19T20:52:00.003-07:00

This morning I started hearing a weird scratching sound from the front yard. It kind of sounded like something clanking on metal. So I ignore it for a minute but then curiosity got the best of me. I looked out the window and saw a man walking up the street with a refrigerator dolly with a boulder on it. It hit me like a ton of bricks that the boulder was from my yard. He came back for more. Not once did he knock, say hello, tell us what he was doing, nothing. Freak!

Then after a good six weeks of nagging at the landscapers that were under contract (with our landlord) to do our yard, they finally show up this morning. They start helping the neighbor guy take all of our boulders with their bobcat thingy. Oy!

The landscapers worked for about an hour and then sat and talked for a whole hour. Then the owner of the landscape company showed up and they worked for another hour. Then they sat for two hours. One guy literally sat in the bobcat (not running, moving, nothing) for over an hour. Freaky weird!

Then a dump truck of dirt shows up and they decide to work a little more. This is when I lost it completely. All of a sudden we had no cable and no internet. My husband walks outside and asks what happened and they said that they cut the cable with the trencher and they proceeded to try to duct tape the line and tell my DH that it was fixed. Freaks! Did I mention that earlier in the morning in a work frenzy they crimped the cable and we lost cable and internet then too? Yeah, DH had to fix that earlier too.

So, my husband calls the landscape company owner and tells him that we have an internet business and that our children use an online school for their education. The guy became a total jerk and told him that it was our problem to work out with the cable company because the line was not buried six inches down. Funny thing is that the trench was over a foot deep.

We had the cable company come out (they came so fast, it was awesome) and the tech asked the crew about the line and they blatantly lied and said that cable was totally exposed when they got here. The cable company is so brilliant. They determine whose fault it is that the line was cut (and in this case other equipment was damaged) and then they bill accordingly. So, landscape company owner guy is going to get a whopping big bill from the cable company. I wish I could bill him for his bad attitude. What a jerk and how stupid can his crew be?

It is true that I do not have much drama in my life. Good thing too because I hate drama! Most of all, I have discovered that I do not like watching other people work. It is painful to watch stupid and inefficient people. I will be so glad when this is all over.

End of an awesome era!

2008-11-17T22:03:00.003-07:00

Boston Legal is perhaps one of my all time favorite shows. I will be so sad when it comes to an end after this season. The characters are so witty and the show is so well cast and well written!

Yes, the show is very racy at times but that is part of its charm! The fact that Denny Crane shoots a gun in almost every episode lately, the fact that Alan Shore makes us think about political and social ideals in a different light, the fact that Shirley is such a master mind. Then there is Jerry or as some may know him, "Hands". There are so few characters so well acted! He is such a gem! Not to mention the fact that I have a soft place in my heart for those with Asperger's and the show has raised awareness of this type of autism.

I love the way the show makes you laugh out loud but it is not dumbed down. A true version of dumbed down television is the Tyra Banks Show. Yes, I know, the total opposite kind of show but have you seen it? It is the epitome of dumb television that produces nothing of worth. I swear if Tyra does another show on the sex industry people are going to be bored to tears.

But, I digress. I am completely sad that this wonderful show (Boston Legal) is coming to a close and one can only hope that something as witty and smart comes along.

Partial Birth Abortion & Adoption

2008-11-13T22:30:00.004-07:00

Adoption is a topic that is close to my heart. I absolutely love the idea of adoption. My wonderful two year old is adopted and we could not feel any more lucky to have her. She is meant to be in this family. We know that the road ahead may be a hard one but we are ready for it and she is worth it.

I was reading up on some support things and continuing education regarding adoption and happened upon some startling abortion statistics. One point I should get out of the way is that I am not okay with abortion, I am, however, very much for the right for a woman to choose. That is when I read an article about partial birth abortion. I had heard of it but never really knew the dynamics of it. It is sickening and completely inhumane. I cannot for the life of me find in my mind a reason why this would ever be necessary. By the time a mother is 24 weeks pregnant she knows if there are problems with her baby or not. Especially if she is receiving proper pre-natal care. So, what I don't get is how anyone could ever justify doing this procedure to anyone, ever. It should be outlawed in all states regardless of circumstance. It is the grossest form of inhumanity. How a doctor could live with themselves after performing such a procedure is beyond me. How can they take their little oath to protect and keep us healthy and then commit murder. To top it off there are actually people who know that the 24 week old baby could be born and be fine. The baby would cry at birth, cry when you did a PKU, cry when hungry and yet you are willing to kill it and keep it's head where you can't hear it cry and think that this is okay? We know that the baby can feel you killing it! How sick!

For any doctor out there that has performed such a "procedure" aka "murder", I hope you know what fate awaits you in an eternal scheme of things.

Keith Olbermann's Proposition 8 Comments

2008-11-11T20:30:00.003-07:00

Monday night Keith Olbermann gave a special comment on the issue of Proposition 8 in California. It was so well said I just had to share it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/10/keith-olbermanns-prop-8-s_n_142862.html

I have read so much about this issue. I understand the view from both sides. No one could have summed up my feeling better than Olbermann. I think that he speaks for quite a few!

Could we have Seinfeld back?

2008-11-07T17:44:00.003-07:00

I do believe that I have seen every episode of Friends, Scrubs, and Seinfeld ever made. I'm sure that there are others but these are the things that I watch at night when I cannot sleep, that is pretty often. I would get up and do something productive but not only do I not have energy for such stuff but it would wake up my family and that's not happening! My brain is mush at night and I need these shows "about nothing".

As I write this, an episode of Seinfeld is on and I find myself wishing there were television shows like this currently in the making. It seemed like for about ten years we had such good sitcoms and then those days ended. There are very few things on television that aren't soap opera style (E.R., the Practice), reality shows (Survivor, yuck), or cop dramas (CSI, Law and Order). We seem to be in a rut.

Yes, there are a few shows like My Name is Earl, The Office (which I cannot stand, totally painful to watch), and a few others but in general there never was anything to replace the shows that were lost. Maybe I'm stuck in a time warp. Thank heavens for re-runs. They will just have to do!

My frustration changed targets on the gay marriage isssue!

2008-11-06T13:35:00.005-07:00

Yes, I know that gay marriage will be banned in California and that it will now set the tone for the country. I can't change it so I will accept it. However, I am more than irked that the Supreme Court ever got involved in the first place. My heart goes out to all of those that went and got married (spent money on weddings and all the hassle as well as other things) and now it is all undone. It would be like thinking you were getting your favorite thing for Christmas but then finding your lump of coal. Yeah, I know, it's worse than that. I cannot imagine finding my husband, going through our wedding and then being told it wasn't really official. Not cool.

I will say this, I don't care if people (gay, straight, purple, pink, apple shaped, pear shaped) are married or not. I just think that we all deserve the same rights and liberties. I don't think that in this life, on this Earth, I am entitled to more because I am straight and married.

Yes, Dear Readers, I will give it a rest on this topic now. The greatest thing about blogs is that we can all share our opinions, thoughts and feelings openly. We can learn from each other and share. It's awesome!

Mad About California's Proposition 8 decision

2008-11-05T01:32:00.003-07:00

So it looks like the final numbers are in and that California is going to ban same sex marriage. I cannot believe that this is happening. For anyone who doesn't know me I am a straight Christian girl! What I don't get is how we can justify not giving same sex couples the same civil rights that I am entitled to.

Also, why would you let a bill pass, let all these people get married, and then say "whoops, we didn't really like the idea so you are just S.O.L.". What kind of people are we in this country. You can't be wishy washy on marriage. I think that the least they can do is to honor the marriages that have taken place. What a mess.

Some people tend to forget that the issue up for voting was not whether people should be allowed to be gay or not but whether they should be allowed to have a legal marriage and the benefits (and curses) that go with it. As one comedian put it today "if you people want to have BBQ's and worry about money" why should we care? Agreed!

All I care about is giving agency to people and also giving them the same civil rights as anyone else. Is that too much to ask or have we become such a twisted nation that we have forgotten why our country is so great?

Feeling Overwhelmingly Patriotic

2008-11-04T08:41:00.002-07:00

My DH and I went to cast our votes this morning quite early to try to avoid lines. Last election we were trying to get in right before polls closed and that was not fun. This year we did not register (with our new address) soon enough to do the early election. I am glad that it worked this way as in hindsight I am sure that I would have been cheated out of something very cool had I voted absentee or early.

What do I mean? I mean that it was absolutely amazing to go to the polls and see the number of people out to vote on this historical day. No matter what happens it is historical! My only regret is that we didn't take our older children to the polls with us so that they could see this democracy in action and to know that when the time comes, they have ownership in the outcome of elections. Just the very act of going to vote makes me dissolve to tears. I love this country so much.

I have been worried that this election has divided our people on such a severe level. So much contention and hostility has come into play and it just feels unAmerican to be so intolerant of someone else's point of view. Then today as we stood in line at the polls it occurred to me that it doesn't matter who any of us vote for, we do have one thing that brings us all together: We all care deeply about this country and what happens. If nothing else we know that we all want what we view is the best for our country and our future for our children.

I Will Make Gentlemen of Them Yet!

2008-11-02T22:06:00.002-07:00

Okay, so I have four kids. Two boys ages 11 and 10 and then two girls ages 5 and 2. Needless to say my boys like a little crude humor. It never gets "dirty" but they like potty humor. Despite being taught that bodily functions are not okay to share at the dinner table, they still do it. What is worse, they do it at other people's homes. It's like they just don't have any "party manors". So, I have ordered a book: .

I am hoping that if we do weekly lessons out of this book something will take. My thought was that I could possibly make Sunday dinner really special and have it be a type of "etiquette dinner". We'll see how it goes. I will make gentlemen of these boys if it is the last thing I do!

Behavior Disorders

2008-11-01T20:55:00.003-06:00

Lately I have been doing some reading about behavior disorders and have been amazed at what I have learn. The main thing that I have learned is that there are many different types and that although a lot of the time the symptoms or signs may be the same they can offer vary greatly depending on the age of the person.

I have found a new appreciation for parents of children with behavior disorders. They have so much to go through and have to be so diligent. I also have a new appreciation for adults that have these disorders. It's hard enough to hold a job, be a parent, have relationships and other normal everyday activities without a disorder. I cannot imagine what these people go through each and every day.

Downsizing hits home

2008-10-29T22:31:00.004-06:00

As I have feared for a few months now, my husband's company has downsized. About two weeks ago they were told that there was to be no more overtime unless approved by the owners. Now today, there was a company wide 25% layoff. My husband is now the only one besides his boss in his department.

I suppose there are two ways to look at this. My gut tells me that this is scary. Although my DH has worked at this company for just under nine years, nothing is secure. He doesn't make a ton of money but it has been a secure job with great benefits and it does pay the bills. I feel panicked on so many levels that there are really not words.

On the flip side, this could be a good thing for him to show the company what he is made of in running a whole department on his own. Maybe he will be needed for longer because there is no one to do his job if he is gone. As things stand now, no one else knows the ropes in his position.

What was sad is that dear friends were let go. This includes newlyweds, people with health problems, people with large families to take care of and more. Just goes to show that we all better look alive and pay attention to getting our ducks in a row. Nothing is secure and everyone is replaceable. Our economy is a mess and I wish I could find a silver lining or see a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel like either presidential candidate is going to make things much better. I'm not sure that anything can help in a very fast manor. I just know that I wish I were better prepared and had been smarter with money in the last decade so that this didn't have me in such a state of panic.

Gala Apples

2008-10-28T22:31:00.004-06:00

When I was in college I worked for a car dealership. I made some great friends there and one day the finance guy came up to me with an apple and offered it to me. I hadn't seen this type of apple before and he told me it was a Gala apple and that once I tasted it, I would never want any other apple.

Needless to say, I became an instant Gala addict. During one of my pregnancies it was all I wanted. They are like candy. The perfect food! Then I came across Sonoma Crisps Gala Apples, Original, 0.78-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12). Could it get better than Gala apple chips? The perfect snack and not as messy in the car as the apple, especially for the children.

Happy snacking!

Wii, Here We Come

2008-10-27T11:58:00.003-06:00

So, our whole family is asking Santa for a Wii this year. I'm not sure if the one listed here is the exact one that we are getting as we want to be sure that we get the right kind of bundle but I'm sure it will be similar.

Due to the fact that money is tight, no one is getting anything else. Stockings will be filled with fruit. My husband and I are excited, just as excited as the kids really.

Albertson's rewards programs.

2008-10-25T00:44:00.002-06:00

Evidently Albertson's Grocery Store has two incentive programs going. One of them (from my understanding) is that you spend X amount of money at the pharmacy and you get a 10% coupon for your shopping at the pharmacy or the store. This saved me a lot of money today! YEAH!

The second program is a Fall Savings Program which means that you spend something like $250 at the store and get a 5% off coupon for a future purchase. I had one of those last week.

My theory here is this: I hate going to WalMart and if this little bit of savings can help me feel like I am getting comparable prices then I am a happy person. I like anything that makes me feel okay about NOT having to go to WalMart.

A day on my lazy arse!

2008-10-23T23:09:00.004-06:00

I wouldn't have been lazy but I hurt myself while in the beginning phase of an exercise program that I started without consulting with my physician! Just kidding, it was just walking really fast and I don't think you have to talk to your doctor about that. Perhaps a good doctor would be annoyed that you would come in for something so stupid if you are healthy in all other aspects.

I think I have shin splints. I have not been to the doctor, that would require walking, which hurts. But, I did reading like all good internet junkies and diagnosed myself like all good hypochondriacs do! I'm pretty sure I'm right or maybe I'm hoping I'm right because shin splints will heal up and hopefully not come back. The alternatives are not fun. So, I go with shin splints.

Odd, as I type I am watching an episode of House where a mother reads articles on the web and decides that her daughter has epilepsy when in fact she has something that takes a conversation with her daughter to cure. I think that maybe we as a whole society take the information on the web too heart too quickly.

My mother and I were talking about how you can look up your symptoms on some websites and if you are not careful you can really scare yourself into thinking you have all sorts of freaky disorders, diseases and other things. Perhaps information is great if you have the wisdom to know that it does not replace the doctor.

The passing of a wonderful lady

2008-10-22T11:58:00.004-06:00

My grandfather (step grandfather) was married to a wonderful woman and spent his last years with her. She was the type of lady who would do anything for anyone without any hesitation. She took care of my grandfather as if they had been married all of their lives.

She also lived right next door to my grandmother (on the other side of my family). They were great friends and had a wonderful time together.

I just received an e-mail that said that this great lady had passed away. She had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer. It was just this summer that she learned that she didn't have much time. My children and I went to see her in August and she let them each choose something that was hers to take with them to remember her by. It was a precious moment for our family and we all cried as we left her home, knowing it was the last time we would see her. She had been planning on moving to be near her daughter for the remainder of her time. I don't believe that she got to move.

All I can say is that I hope she didn't suffer. She never complained and was really never sick. She had a few small strokes in the past year and was working with speech therapists and some other professionals to help her out. Even as we visited with her in August she was cheerful. That is just the way she was.

We were lucky that this dear lady came into our lives. How I wish I had kept in better touch and been more thoughtful to spend more time with her. She took care of so many people!

Ruth J. Hallmann was a dear, dear lady!

Finally decorating for Halloween

2008-10-21T15:10:00.005-06:00

Something inside of me hates decorating for every single season. It may be the fact that you have to store all the stuff for the rest of the year and I love down sizing! With four children we have enough junk and needed items, we don't need to add to it.

My poor five year old girl is suffering because of this. She finally has friends on both sides of us and both houses are all decked out in Halloween garb. So today she says, "I wish our decorations were out". Little did she know that we did not have any decorations.

Anyway, long story short, I caved. I went and spent a few dollars at Joann's on some decorative items for the yard that were 60% off. Thank heavens because that garbage is expensive! Some of it is decent but really it is all tacky and just for the sake of the kids. I just don't want to regret not having done it for the little ones. The older ones only care about candy.

Tonight my poor DH is going to find out that he has to help me. Bless his soul!
Party Planning & Supplies at Joann.com

How to Make Money Online

2008-10-19T20:38:00.004-06:00

I've mentioned this topic before but considering the current economic status of the nation as a whole, I thought it was worth bringing up again.

Many people are looking for ways to make money online. The link here has so many great things to offer people. On top of which, there are ways to make money online without putting much money into something. Most of the time you can do it from home on your computer. There are many great opportunities for stay at home moms as well as all other people. I just happen to be a stay at home mom and love to learn new ways of how to make money online.

Whether you are looking into spending a lot of time on making money online or maybe just a few hours a week. There are great resources at the links in this post.

Sarah Palin and Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live!

2008-10-18T22:37:00.002-06:00

SNL just started and both Sarah Palin and Tina Fey were on in the beginning. I hope that they do another skit in the show as it was excellent to begin with them. I am not generally a Palin fan but I thought it took a lot of guts for her to come on and be a good sport. It shows that she can make fun of herself and appreciate what Tina Fey does so well!

Awesome intro to SNL.

Obsessing

2008-10-17T21:18:00.002-06:00

I had to get milk about five different times today for various children and recipes. I HATE these vats of milk! That's what it feels like is a vat!

On top of the stupid Costco/Kirkland brand milk we bought a big package of Gala apples from them on Sunday and here it is just Friday and we found two that were moldy.

It must be said that I have generally loved Costco and the quality it offers, this week is not a good week for me (as far as milk or apples go) or Costco.

Do people ever really change?

2008-10-15T16:41:00.003-06:00

So, I'm sure you have all heard that Madonna and husband of eight years Guy Ritchie are divorcing. It was officially announced today. This makes me heart broken for another group of Hollywood children. Yeah, I know, they don't live in Hollywood but they live the life and have parents who are prominent and under public scrutiny.

This makes me wonder. I thought Madonna was changing her ways and doing her Kabbalah study that she would somehow find some wisdom that would keep this little family together and keep her children secure. Now, I realize that marriages always have two sides. Who knows about Guy Ritchie. Perhaps you really can't have a marriage where two people insist on having careers that take them from home so often and the couple is apart. I have never seen this kind of situation be a good thing.

I'm sure that in their minds they tried to make this work but I am so sick inside for these children! Who knows what their future holds!

The eve of my 34th birthday!

2008-10-15T13:52:00.003-06:00

A few years ago I was wishing that birthdays could just stop and we could quit acknowledging them. Well, mainly just mine. Now, I've decided to embrace them. Every year I am hopefully a bit wiser and better for having lived the past year. I thought about the past twelve months and have had a few thoughts to post. This is really self centered so please forgive me.

1. This time last year I had three foster children living in my home (twin 5 year old girls and a seven year old boy). I found that I am stronger than I thought possible. I was very ill before the kids came to our home and I had to really push myself physically and emotionally everyday. I learned so much about myself. Some things I was proud of, some I am not proud of. I was proud of myself for conquering such a challenge and giving those kids a safe place until their adoptive home was ready. I was bummed to find out that I really know for sure that I could not do those ages again. At least not until my own children are out of my home. At that time I will be up for helping whoever I can.

2. My babies adoption became final exactly a year ago. I am amazed at our capacity to love unconditionally. I'm grateful that we had this experience and that we get to share the journey of our sweet little girl throughout her life.

3. I had a son go from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. I never thought we would get it done but he earned all that he needed for Cub Scouts and then some. While this was great for my son's self esteem, mine went sky high. This was major for me! Now if only I could really figure out the Boy Scout thing. Yikes!

4. We have moved twice in the last 12 months (3 in the past 18 months). The move in the spring was not my best hour and I had to rely on family and friends a lot more than I wanted to. This past move made me proud of myself. I was so much more organized and things went so much better. I didn't want to leave my pretty, cushy little house in a gorgeous neighborhood but I didn't let my kids see that. I am proud of myself for having the maturity to suck it up and make it a fun adventure for my children. They have not had an unhappy moment about it, they think that this move was the greatest thing ever. BTW, for all my family, thanks for your help on all our moves. You are all amazing!

5. My marriage got stronger despite some trials (like the moving). I thought that my marriage was good before and now I'm pretty sure that there are no limits to how good it can get. We take more time for each other even though we have less time to do it in. Hopefully we can keep things going good.

These are just a few things, the list could go on forever. I'm not always proud of myself, quite the contrary but I feel that age helps us in some ways. Like helping us realize that today isn't the end of the road, we have time to improve and work on things.

Anyway, enough of my babbling.

Herbal Allergy and Sinus Medicine

2008-10-14T20:34:00.004-06:00

My father told me about the most wonderful Allergy medicine. It works super fast and it isn't costly. It works great for my children and for my husband and me. I haven't given it to my two year old as I'm not sure about the safety of it. It is probably harmless but I'm not too adventurous that way!

Anyway, just had to share as sometimes in the fall the allergies get flared up again. My kids also seem to have more sinus issues this time of year as well as in the spring. This stuff is the best. You don't even have to convince a child to swallow a pill or anything. The tablets are chewable and tasteless. It is so easy!

Costco Kirkland Brand Milk Carton New Design

2008-10-14T16:09:00.003-06:00

Evidently old milk gallon jugs were out of style or something. Or Kirkland (Costco's signature brand name) thought so anyway. Frankly, I don't get it. We have bought our milk at Costco for quite some time but this was the first time we saw this new design.

For industrial purposes I suppose it stacks better for Costco and does away with the cardboard box that it used to come in. This may seem better for the environment but I am curious about this because the new milk bottles are so thick, I suppose so that they can stack better without crushing under the weight. Thicker plastic surely does not decompose as quickly as it's thinner counterpart or the cardboard box that the milk used to come in. Does that make sense?

Forget the environmental reasons for not wanting sturdier plastic containers for just one moment and let's go to the topic of how the cartons work in comparison to the old style. This morning I opened one and the opening is huge. I screwed off the cap that is enormous and tried to fill one of my babies bottles. Milk went everywhere, it was awful! My children cannot possibly get their own milk for cereal or for drinking if we buy this style container. It is the weirdest thing ever.

If it wasn't broke, why did we fix it?

Sanity? What sanity?

2008-10-13T13:13:00.003-06:00

My two year old just knocked over my painting of Catalina and gouged the frame. For some this wouldn't be a big deal but the picture is about four and half feet wide and over three feet tall. Not a cheap frame to say the least. The painting hit my full size grand piano and left a white market that is great on the black satin finish. Then the painting knocked over a floor lamp and broke it. On the floor lamps way down to the ground it hit the piano and gouged the lid and the wall next too it. When I say gouge, I mean that it hit an edge and took a triangular chunk out of it. I have never been so close to abusing a child. I screamed but that was it. I have seriously never been so sick inside.

Yes, I get that children and people mean more than things but this piano is like a family member to me. I do not have many material possessions worth anything, this is my one biggie. It has managed to survive 30 years without anything like this happening and now we have a two problems with it. I want to just cry but my rage and anger won't let it happen just yet.

I made my poor two year old cry and could not stop yelling for a few seconds. Scared her to death. I'm sure there was a better way to teach her that this was bad. Bottom line, it was an accident but one that shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have had the painting or the lamp where they were. I have always had a lamp by the piano and nothing has ever happened. Oh, I feel sick! Worst of all I know that by leaving these things where they were and not watching her right that minute are what caused the problem, not her. Oh yikes! If only there were a pill, vitamin, exercise or something to take this feeling away!

Wendy's Buffalo Chicken Salad

2008-10-12T20:40:00.001-06:00

I can't find this salad on the Wendy's website but I just ate part of one and decided to blog. Weird.

The thing is that I was expecting this to be spicy but this is like fire salad. Plus, the buffalo sauce got all over the whole salad (maybe that is done intentionally) and there is not enough ranch to cut through the heat. So, if you are really weird about spicy hot flavors, this is not for you. If you love Tabasco sauce flavor then this is the right salad for you.

San Diego Chargers vs. New England Patriots

2008-10-12T20:11:00.005-06:00

Now here is the thing: I don't really watch all that much football. I love to watch it but it could totally consume every minute of a persons life. So, I catch a game now and then like tonight and then I never miss the Super Bowl. Love it!

Because I am originally from Southern California, my heart will always be with the San Diego Chargers. Many years, this is not something to brag about and then other years they do outstanding. This year had better be a good year! Reason being that whoever decided on the lame new uniform color was a moron.

Why on Earth would anyone choose to look like a sparkly Smurf running around a field. Those poor men! Notice they didn't make the cheerleaders look as stupid. At the time that I am writing this it is the third quarter and San Diego is thrashing on New England. YEAH! You do understand that they have to beat everyone. You cannot look that stupid and then play stupid. If you are gonna look like a little girl you better play really good so that no one can make fun of you. Yes, I have issues.

Can you imagine being as manly or huge as some of those men and being told that you had to prance around in Smurf Blue? Yikes!

BTW, the pictures above are of Philip Rivers, QB.

Homecomings are so sweet! Time to reflect.

2008-10-12T03:12:00.004-06:00

My mother has been out of town for 10 days. We are very close and speak or see each other almost every day. It helps that we live in the same town and as of late, I live less than a mile from her home. We have what I consider a very strong relationship and we are the best of friends.

Tonight I was at the airport waiting for her flight to come in and as I watched her plane descend for the landing all sorts of panic went through me. I must first say, I am a real nut about flying, I hate it. Not just for me, but for all those that I love. It just makes me crazy with fear. Anyway, I'm watching her plane and praying in my head that the pilot doesn't make a mistake or misjudge the landing. Praying that the equipment will work. Then as they land nice and smooth I am relieved beyond compare.

Then I went to the loading zone to wait for her to come out after she collects baggage. I feel guilty that I didn't go in and wait with her but it was late and freezing and I got selfish. But as I sat I saw the sweetest reunion behind me. A father came out of the airport to the curb and was met by his son (I assume) who leaped out of the car behind me to throw his arms around his father. This son had to be at least about the age of my son which is 11. It was so sweet. How wonderful and unrestrained the affection was. All I could think of was that the pilot and crew had no idea how relieved they had made so many people that they had done their part with such skill. Right down to the service people who work on the planes. What a thankless job and yet, imagine the consequence if they didn't do their jobs well.

As I watched and waited I had time to reflect on how things in life can change so fast. As we watch the world around us go into total turmoil financially and politically and as we are at war, I thought of these sweet priceless moments and how much they mean. They are the fabric that makes us who we are and gives us that underlying joy. It makes the stress of stretching the dollar worth it because underneath all the stress we can be completely full of joy. Or at least we can hope that is the case.

Mats in the dog's hair is horrible.

2008-10-09T21:49:00.003-06:00

Our dog is a Shih-Tzu, Poodle and Maltese mix so the dog has a very this coat of hair as well as a really thick undercoat. I have always had the dog professionally groomed once per month to prevent matting of the coat. For two months I couldn't afford it and quite frankly put off calling to make an appointment. HUGE mistake. My poor sweet dog is in bad shape. The mats formed quickly and I knew that they needed to be cut out but the groomer that I use (who is mobile!) didn't have an appointment available for several weeks. So I thought we would be okay. About three weeks ago the kids came to me and showed me a sore. I thought that it looked small and that it was either from the mats or the cat may have scratched him as they love to wrestle. It gets pretty intense so it is possible that the cat could have gotten a great swipe at him.

Periodically the kids would come show me the dog's problem and I was so guilt ridden but helpless. I knew that at the moment we didn't have money for the vet and my hands were tied with the groomer so I just waited. Then, yesterday we were getting in the car and I had the kids get the dog so that he could come with us and the poor thing has no hair on one side of his body and two open wounds. One wound is quite large and looks miserable. The poor baby (Jack) doesn't whine, whimper or otherwise, he is the best dog. I panicked and immediately made an appointment with the vet.

We went to the veterinarian this morning and he agreed that it was most likely from the mats. Nothing is infected although it looks like it to me. The dog wasn't running a fever either. The veterinarian gave Jack a shot to help with the itching in hopes that he would quit biting at the wound and sent us packing. The visit was only $84 and I thought it could have been a lot worse. Better yet, I told the Dr. how sick I felt inside and he did not try to give me anymore guilt. Thank heavens. I could not have handled the guilt trip.

Anyway, the piece of mind that I have now is overwhelming. I was so worried. I would have been (was) beside myself if this had been more serious. He is being groomed next week and then we are going to get diligent about house training (he is good for the most part) and other training. He is going to be the best dog ever! We have taken him for granted and I have a new found motivation to make him even more a part of our lives. The outdoor cat (Junior) will resent him and us for this but I can't help that. That cat is the worst smelling animal that ever lived and absolutely cannot be inside.

Moral of the story, don't let your dogs undercoat get mats. It's just not okay. Daily brushing and regular professional grooming is key. For your sake and the dogs please take care of them properly. We have had to learn the hard way and it is so sad.

Dinner with friends at Ruby Tuesday.

2008-10-09T00:03:00.003-06:00

With four children, homeschooling, extended family, and other commitments my husband and I rarely seem to find the time (make the time) to go out. Most of the time when we do go out it is just the two of us as we are starved for some time together. Tonight we went to dinner with some dear friends of ours and had so much fun. They chose to go to Ruby Tuesday which is a place that I hadn't been for years. The whole restaurant has received a face lift since the last time we were there.

The menu was quite impressive. I had the Ruby Tuesday Club House Salad. I recently lost a bit of weight and to keep it off I tried to choose wisely and also had the chef leave the bacon off of the salad. It was an excellent salad and they have a great light balsamic dressing. My husband ordered the Avocado Quesadilla which looked and smelled wonderful. Our friends both had the salad bar as they are both are a really big diet/health kick. The salad bar at Ruby Tuesday is wonderful!

It was a wonderful evening of catching up and reconnecting. We were lucky to have our time together and we are lucky to have such great friends.

Hotpoint Microwave JES636WK Review

2008-10-07T13:00:00.004-06:00

Here's the story of a lovely lady who moved into a new (different) house. The poor old house had no microwave so the lady had to go to Wal-Mart and buy a new one. Imagine her surprise when she found a bargain price of $35 for a medium sized microwave.

Naturally the "lovely lady" was me. I brought it home and we set it up. The first time we put something in it we noticed that it sounded unlike any other microwave oven that we had ever heard! But, it slowly nuked our food. It's only 700 watts or something so it is a little wimpy.

The real shocker came this morning when I put in a microwavable frozen meal and set it to cook for 4 minutes. At about 2 minutes into it, the microwave completely died. Seemed to have no power and it smelled like something had burnt (not food). I reset the outlet, checked the breaker box, plugged it in to a new outlet and nothing did the job. About two hours later I go into the kitchen and the display is lit up. Now it wants to work. This microwave is cheap, unreliable, moody and has the strangest ability to control the mood of a household.

Bottom line, the Hotpoint JES636WK model microwave is totally worthless. Spend another $15 at Wal-Mart and get a 1200 watt microwave that will not only save you the time it is supposed to but will be reliable (as all good household appliances should be).

I'll be back with my next review when DH gets back from exchanging this nightmare.